Schulhoff: Chamber Music

Erwin Schulhoff's "Chamber Music" is a captivating collection of works that showcases the composer's innovative spirit and diverse musical influences. Released on Naxos in 2016, this album features a range of pieces, from the intense and contrasting String Sextet, Op. 45, to the playful and rhythmic 5 Études de jazz. The album also includes the Violin Sonata No. 2 and the Duo for Violin & Cello, each offering a unique blend of styles and emotions.

Performed by the Spectrum Concerts Berlin, with notable musicians such as Boris Brovtsyn, Eldar Nebolsin, and Maxim Rysanov, the album delivers a rich and dynamic listening experience. Schulhoff's music, while often atonal, is never bound by the strictures of the 12-tone row, allowing for astringent harmonies that are always underpinned by a strong melodic sense. The String Sextet, in particular, is highlighted for its violent contrasts and almost Cubist montage, marking a key work in Schulhoff's artistic development.

Recorded over three days in January 2016, this album spans a total of 1 hour and 8 minutes, offering a comprehensive journey through Schulhoff's chamber music repertoire. Whether you're a long-time fan of classical music or a newcomer looking to explore the genre, "Chamber Music" provides a compelling introduction to the works of Erwin Schulhoff, a composer whose music continues to resonate with its boldness and originality.

Erwin Schulhoff, born in Prague in 1894, was a pioneering Czech composer and pianist whose career was tragically cut short by the Nazi regime. A true innovator, Schulhoff was one of the first European composers to embrace jazz, incorporating dance forms like ragtime, tango, and foxtrot into his piano works. His music is known for its adventurous and muscular qualities, reflecting his wide range of influences and forward-thinking approach. Despite his premature death in the Wülzburg concentration camp in 1942, Schulhoff's compositions continue to captivate audiences with their power and variety. His legacy as a composer who was ahead of his time endures, making his music a compelling exploration of 20th-century musical evolution.