Klemmstein – Konzert für Violine & Orchester / Konzert für Violoncello & Orchester

Among the more than 70 works that Eberhard Klemmstein (born 1941) has composed to date are operas, several symphonies, chamber music and songs. Solo concertos for various instruments also feature prominently in his oeuvre. He undoubtedly belongs to the free-tonal camp among composers, his music characterised by a very personal, multifaceted harmony and colourful instrumentation, which, combined with the invention of concise themes and their artful treatment, leads to a personal musical language. The violin concerto dates from 2014. Ingolf Turban and Eberhard Klemmstein have been friends for many years. When he saw the first sketches of the violin concerto, he was immediately enthusiastic and wanted to perform it right away. An opportunity arose in the Vogtland Philharmonic's concert series. Dorian Keilhack had just been appointed as the new principal conductor there. Keilhack had already premiered several of Klemmstein's works in previous years – for example, he conducted the world premiere of the opera ‘Der Achte Tag’ (The Eighth Day). Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic initially prevented the premiere of the violin concerto. This made the orchestra's offer to record the violin concerto dedicated to Ingolf Turban all the more welcome. The three-movement cello concerto undoubtedly belongs to the category of ‘symphonic solo concertos’. The concert is dedicated to Mark Kosower, who premiered Klemmstein's cello sonata together with pianist Jee Won Oh and also recorded it for Bavarian Radio. At the time of its composition (2012), he was principal cellist with the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra. Shortly afterwards, the Cleveland Orchestra appointed him as its new principal cellist. Some time passed before the concerto could be premiered on 16 June 2017 in Bratislava together with the Slovak Radio Orchestra. It was conducted by David Hernando Rico, who had recorded Klemmstein's oboe concerto three years earlier. Following the premiere, he then conducted the present studio recording of the cello concerto with the Bratislava Symphony Orchestra.