Travels with Goliath:In the footsteps of Josef Kämpfer

Franz Hoffmeister’s and Johann Vanhal’s respective double bass concertos are captivating charmers that give Grigory Krotenko ample opportunity to flex his virtuoso muscles, yet in no way patronises... — BBC Music Magazine, July 2018, More…

Release Date: 16th Mar 2018
Catalogue No: RCD1023
Label: Rubicon
Length: 57 minutes

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Hoffmeister: Concerto for Double Bass in E-Flat

18:53

$3.35

$4.15

$4.95

Barocco Concertato
Maria Krestinskaya
Grigory Krotenko, Barocco Concertato and Maria Krestinskaya, Grigory Krotenko (soloist)

I. Allegro moderato

9:39

$1.25

$1.55

$1.85

II. Adagio

4:44

$1.05

$1.30

$1.55

III. Adagio – Allegro

4:30

$1.05

$1.30

$1.55

Johann Matthias Sperger: Sonata per il Contrabasso e Viola d’amore

15:30

$3.15

$3.90

$4.65

Grigory Krotenko (soloist), Maria Krestinskaya (soloist)

I. Allegro moderato

5:58

$1.05

$1.30

$1.55

II. Adagio

4:25

$1.05

$1.30

$1.55

III. Rondo – Moderato

5:07

$1.05

$1.30

$1.55

Johann-Baptist Vanhal: Concerto for Double Bass in E-Flat

17:10

$3.15

$3.90

$4.65

Barocco Concertato
Maria Krestinskaya
Grigory Krotenko, Barocco Concertato and Maria Krestinskaya, Grigory Krotenko (soloist)

I. Allegro moderato

6:09

$1.05

$1.30

$1.55

II. Adagio

6:31

$1.05

$1.30

$1.55

III. Allegro

4:30

$1.05

$1.30

$1.55

Mozart: Concert aria for bass voice, double bass and orchestra, K. 612 "Per questa bella mano"

6:18

$1.05

$1.30

$1.55

Barocco Concertato
Maria Krestinskaya
Grigory Krotenko, Barocco Concertato, Maria Krestinskaya and Ilya Mazurov, Grigory Krotenko (soloist), Ilya Mazurov (soloist)

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Josef Kämpfer (1735–88?) A cavalry officer in the Hungarian army, self - taught double bass virtuoso and double bass designer led a peripatetic life moving through musical circles at the highest levels in Austria, Germany, Paris, London and St Petersburg. On his travels he met Leopold Mozart, the Haydn brothers, Vanhal, and many of the most famous musicians of the day. His specially made and extra large instrument, to his own specifications was known as ‘Goliath’ and astonished audiences wherever he performed. Goliath could be dismantled by a system of 26 bolts and packed into a case for easy transport – one of Kämpfer’s innovations. A colourful personality, Kämpfer’s story is well worth getting to know and makes for easy company as this recording admirably demonstrates. His star burned brightly but mysteriously Kämpfer, his compositions and Goliath vanish from the musical scene as quickly as they had burst upon it. After his successful Paris recitals in 1787 he is not heard of again. It is thought he ended his days as an Imperial Court musician at the Theatre Bolshoi in St Petersburg.

This fascinating and somewhat shadowy figure from the 18th century musical world is brought to life by Russian double bassist Grigory Krotenko on this skilfully curated album featuring music by publisher and composer Hoffmeister, double bass virtuoso Sperger, Haydn and Mozart’s friend and fellow composer Vanhal, and last but by no means least Mozart himself – his delightful concert aria ‘Per Questa bella mano’ for baritone, double bass and orchestra.

Reviews

July 2018

Franz Hoffmeister’s and Johann Vanhal’s respective double bass concertos are captivating charmers that give Grigory Krotenko ample opportunity to flex his virtuoso muscles, yet in no way patronises the instrument or plays to its enhanced lower range. Indeed, there is an imperative sparkle about this music that would grace many a violin concerto of the period.

Travels with Goliath

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