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The Rotterdam Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Conrad van Alphen,
records Grieg’s “Holberg Suite, Op. 40,” Dvorák’s “Serenade for Strings in E
major, Op. 22” and Elgar’s “Serenade for Strings in E minor, Op. 20.”
Blending the lushness of these Romantic compositions with the richness of the
Rotterdam Chamber Orchestra’s strings, Maestro van Alphen interprets the
serenades with great fervor.
Edward Elgar (1857-1934) would have remained an unnoticed provincial English
composer if he had not married Alice Roberts, daughter of a Major General. With
his wife’s help, Elgar unearthed three remarkable short pieces for strings,
which he re-worked into the intimate three-movement “Serenade for String
Orchestra in E major.”
Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904) was neither conservative nor radical in his
compositional style. His works display the influences of folk music, mainly
Czech, but also American. His admiration for the piano writing of Mozart, Haydn,
Beethoven, Schubert and Brahms shows in his own compositional style. Dvorak’s
“Serenade for Strings” is an uncomplicated yet sophisticated composition.
Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) composed “From Holberg’s time, Op. 40” for the 200th
anniversary of the birth of the Norwegian-Danish metaphysician Ludvig Holberg.
The Rotterdam Chamber Orchestra was founded by conductor Conrad van Alphen and
Japanese violinist Makiko Hirayama in March 2000 for the purpose of performing
the particularly inspiring chamber orchestra repertoire. In addition to its own
concert series in Rotterdam, the Orchestra is regularly invited to play in such
renowned venues as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and Queen Elizabeth Hall in
Antwerp.
The Dutch/South African conductor Conrad van Alphen was born in 1963. Apart from
being the artistic director of the Rotterdam Chamber Orchestra, he has also held
the position of principal guest conductor with the State Philharmonic Orchestra
Pleven in Bulgaria, and the Pskov Philharmonic in Russia.
Musicians: Conrad van Alphen conducting the Rotterdam Chamber Orchestra; Noemi
Bodden, violin; Monique van Zelst, viola.
Selections:
Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)
Holberg Suite, Op. 40
1. Prelude - Allegro vivace
2. Sarabande - Andante
3. Gavotte - Allegretto; Musette - poco piu mosso
4. Air - Andante religioso
5. Rigaudon - Allegro con brio
Dvorak: Serenade for Strings in E major, Op. 22
6. Moderato
7. Tempo di Valse
8. Scherzo - Vivace
9. Larghetto
10. Finale - Allegro vivace
Elgar: Serenade for Strings in E minor, Op. 20
11. Allegro piacevole
12. Larghetto
13. Allegretto
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