Robert Fuchs: Serenades Nos. 3, 4 & 5

"There is some incredibly beautiful music for strings here—the Fourth Serenade adds two horns to the ensemble—generously melodic and richly textured. One would be hard-pressed to come up with examples of pieces as immediately ear-pleasing…" --Fanfare, September 2012

"These works are pleasant music and easy listening…The Cologne Chamber Orchestra produces a rich, romantic sound that’s quite attractive and expressive…" --American Record Guide, September 2012

This second disc concludes Naxos’ survey of Robert Fuchs’ complete serenades, and it’s just as delightful as the first. Serenade No. 3, for strings, features an irresistibly catchy third-movement march, and a fiery finale in the Hungarian style. The Fourth Serenade, in five movements…All of the works feature a movement described as “grazioso”, but the Allegretto grazioso of this piece particularly lives up to its title. The Fifth Serenade…has an unforgettably witty finale in which the players seem to want to play the waltz from Die Fledermaus, but can’t quite remember how it goes, so they dance on with their own slightly tipsy tune…

the performances are as perfect as we have any right to ask. Christian Ludwig paces each piece with an unerring feel for the music’s often balletic grace, while the slow movements never bog down in cloying sentiment. The Cologne Chamber Orchestra plays with clean rhythms, excellent intonation, and (in the latter works) notably transparent balances between strings and winds. This is music of very high quality. It bears repetition well, and will charm you and your musical friends for years to come. It deserves a place in every serious collection. --ClassicsToday.com, April 2012

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Fuchs: Serenades Nos 1 & 2, Etc

Robert Fuchs (1847–1927) is best known today as the composition teacher of Mahler, Sibelius, Enesco, Korngold, Schreker, Zemlinsky, and just about everyone else who happened to be at the Vienna Conservatory from the late 19th century onward. As a composer he earned the respect of Brahms, probably because Brahms didn’t feel threatened by him, and was totally forgotten after his death. During his lifetime he was best known for his string serenades, two of which feature on this recording, along with the late (and quite substantial) Andante and Capriccio Op. 63.

Let’s get straight to the point: the music is wonderful—gracious, tuneful, not a note too long, and an unalloyed delight from first note to last. Yes, it’s not “heavy” or “serious”, but really, who cares? If you like Dvorák’s or Tchaikovsky’s string serenades, or Grieg’s Holberg Suite, or Sibelius’ Valse triste, then you are going to love this disc.

The performances are perfect: flowing, rhythmically clean and snappy, immaculately tuned, and affectionately phrased. It just doesn’t get any better, and the sonics are pristine. The Viennese, of course, have always been suckers for light music, but that only made them particularly discerning. They went crazy for Fuchs. Check out this disc and find out why. --David Hurwitz, classicstoday.com

MP3 320 · 116 MB