Max Bruch (1839-1920)

Donald Macleod colours in Bruch’s life story and reveals the breadth of his output

“Only true melody outlasts all changes and shifts of time” – so said this week’s composer, Max Bruch, the creator of what may be the world’s best-loved violin concerto. But Bruch would hate us to think of him as a one hit wonder. He even came to resent the very sound of his first Violin concerto, the only piece by which he’s often remembered. This week, Donald Macleod colours in Bruch’s life story and reveals the breadth of his output, including some of his lesser-heard music.

Music Featured:

Frühlingslied, Op 7 No 5 (arr. for violin and piano)Septet, Op Posth (3rd mvt, Scherzo)Klavierstücke, Op 12 (excerpt)Piano Trio, Op 5Die Loreley OvertureString Quartet No 2 in E major, Op 10 (1st mvt, Allegro maestoso)Swedish Dances (No 10, Frisch, nicht zu schnell)Musicaklang, Op 71 No 5Symphony No 1 (5th mvt, Finale)Schön Ellen, Op 24Violin Concerto No 1 in G minor12 Scottish Folksongs (No 2, Johnie und Jenny)Songs, Op 49 No 4 – SerenadePiano Quintet in G minor (3rd & 4th mvts)Gruss an die Heilige Nacht (Greeting to the Holy Night)Kol NidreiScottish Fantasy for violin and orchestra (4th mvt, Allegro guerriero)8 Pieces for Clarinet, viola and piano, Op 83 No 2In der Nacht, Op 724 Pieces, Op 70 (No 1, Aria)Concerto for Two Pianos (4th mvt)Double Concerto for clarinet and violaSommerlust im Walde, Op 71 No 1String Quartet No 1 (3rd mvt)Das Lied von der Glocke (final movements)Odysseus PreludeIn Memoriam, Op 65

Presented by Donald MacleodProduced by Amelia Parker for BBC Audio Wales & West

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Max Bruch (1839-1920) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002br0d

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z

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