Rheinberger: Complete Violin Sonatas

Joseph Rheinberger (1839-1901) has gone down in history thanks to his impressive collection of organ music, akin in style and second only to those of Felix Mendelssohn. Composer and organist, Rheinberger was a highly influential musical figure in the second half of the 19th century, as a teacher his pupils included Wolf-Ferrari, Humperdinck and Furtwängler.

Apart from his organ works he wrote noteworthy pieces for orchestra and a fine body of chamber music. This new recording features his two Violin Sonatas, works of considerable substance and impact, in style reminiscent of Mendelsohn, Brahms, Dvorák and Franck, but distinctively speaking its own language in rich harmonies and lush melodies, embedded in challenging instrumental textures.

Excellent performances by Thomas Schrott, a seasoned soloist, chamber music player and concertmaster living in Italy, and pianist Piero Barbareschi, who also wrote the liner notes in the booklet.