Liner Notes
Cat. No. NWCRL559
Release Date: 2011-07-15
Pro Arte Quartet: Norman Paulu, violin; Martha Francis Blum, violin; Richard Blum, viola; Parry Karp, cello; Constance Beavon, mezzo-soprano; Donald Pirone, piano; Richard Goldsmith, clarinet
Karol Rathaus (b. Tarnopol, Poland, September 16, 1895, d. New York, November 21, 1954) was one of the great talents who emigrated to the United States in the 1930's. His music manifests a broad and sensitive insight into the contrasting musical trends that arose in Europe during the earlier part of this century.
While living and working in Berlin (1920-1932), Rathaus quickly established his reputation. Walter Schrenk, the distinguished music critic, considered Rathaus "one of the strongest hopes for our new music." Having received wide acclaim and recognition, Rathaus' works were performed frequently throughout Europe by such distinguished conductors as Erich Kleiber, Wilhelm Furtwangler and George Szell. Daring and progressive in his early years, Rathaus succeeded in formulating an individual and personal creative style which manifests a subtle intermixture of late romantic and early 20th century elements. His affinity for the Polish tradition was very strong—his music often retains the rhythmic and dance-like character of the Polish mazurka and polonaise. Yet Rathaus cannot be categorized among the nationalistic composers of the early 20th century, such as Bartok or Kodaly. Moreover, although his music touches on atonality, heavy use of counterpoint and motivic development, he was not a follower of Schoenberg. Rathaus was quite right, therefore, when he often quipped, "They don't know what pigeon hole to put me in."
Karol Rathaus (b. Tarnopol, Poland, September 16, 1895, d. New York, November 21, 1954) was one of the great talents who emigrated to the United States in the 1930's. His music manifests a broad and sensitive insight into the contrasting musical trends that arose in Europe during the earlier part of this century.
While living and working in Berlin (1920-1932), Rathaus quickly established his reputation. Walter Schrenk, the distinguished music critic, considered Rathaus "one of the strongest hopes for our new music." Having received wide acclaim and recognition, Rathaus' works were performed frequently throughout Europe by such distinguished conductors as Erich Kleiber, Wilhelm Furtwangler and George Szell. Daring and progressive in his early years, Rathaus succeeded in formulating an individual and personal creative style which manifests a subtle intermixture of late romantic and early 20th century elements. His affinity for the Polish tradition was very strong—his music often retains the rhythmic and dance-like character of the Polish mazurka and polonaise. Yet Rathaus cannot be categorized among the nationalistic composers of the early 20th century, such as Bartok or Kodaly. Moreover, although his music touches on atonality, heavy use of counterpoint and motivic development, he was not a follower of Schoenberg. Rathaus was quite right, therefore, when he often quipped, "They don't know what pigeon hole to put me in."
This title, originally issued on the CRI label, is now available as a burn-on-demand CD (CD-R) or download in MP3/320, FLAC or WAV formats. CD-Rs come in a protective sleeve; no print booklet or jewel case included. Full liner notes are accessible via the link above.
Music of Karol Rathaus
| MP3/320 | $9.99 | |
| FLAC | $9.99 | |
| WAV | $9.99 | |
| CD-R | $9.99 |
A *.pdf of the notes may be accessed here free of charge.
Track Listing
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String Quartet No. 5, Op. 72: I. Allegretto con moto
Karol Rathaus
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String Quartet No. 5, Op. 72: II. Largo
Karol Rathaus
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String Quartet No. 5, Op. 72: III. Allegro vivace
Karol Rathaus
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Sweet Music, Op. 48, No. 2
Karol Rathaus
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The Oblation, Op. 48, No. 3
Karol Rathaus
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Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 21: I. Allegretto
Karol Rathaus
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Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 21: II. Recitativo, allegretto
Karol Rathaus
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Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 21: III. Allegro con brio
Karol Rathaus
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Kujawiak, Op. 47, No. 2
Karol Rathaus
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Ballade: Variations on a Hurdy-Gurdy Theme, Op. 40
Karol Rathaus
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