SKU: BT.YE0036

Four movements, top part advanced. Several recordings and many broadcasts. Duration c.13'.

Programme Notes:

The Swiss composer Joseph Lauber was born at Ruswil near Lucerne in 1864. After studying with Heger in Zürich and Rheinberger in Munich, Lauber worked with Diémer and Massenet in Paris. With Massenet he learnt a great deal about orchestration, a subject that he subsequently taught until the end of his life at the Geneva conservatoire as well as piano and composition. He died in 1952.

Lauber's 193 catalogued works are many and varied. He wrote for all instruments and in every genre except oratorio and opera. Among his output areseveral works for double bass, most written for Prof. Hans Fryba, a personal friend with whom he worked as a double bass and piano recital duo. Fryba was one of the leading players in Europe in his day and was principal of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. First was Theme and Variations (1936-7) and a Rhapsodie with orchestra (1937). Three Walzes followed in 1939, a Gavotte and Gigue, a Sonata and then in 1943 Fantasie de Concert, written for the Geneva Competition. Four Caprices appeared in 1942, the same date as the Quartet for double basses which was dedicated to Fryba and written for the Berlin Philharmonic Double Bass Quartet, one of the first ever such ensembles to exist.

The Quartet for double basses was revived by Klaus Stoll in the 1970s for the Philharmonic Double Bass Quartet at that time to play. It was subsequently published in 1975 by Yorke Edition by kind permission of the composer's son Edmund Lauber.

Rodney Slatford 2004

SKU: M7.DOHR-22903

ISBN 9790202009031.

SKU: HL.49018965

ISBN 9790001175791.

What do Beethoven and the children's song Fuchs Du hast die Gans gestohlen have in common? Nothing, strictly speaking. Although the song was written as early as 1824 (and theoretically, Beethoven could have known it), it has not left deep marks on his oeuvre. But what if he had known it? Wolfgang Birtel pursued this question and, in reply to it, conceived a symphony for string quartet: behind each movement is an original symphony by Beethoven (spiced with quotes from other works). The children's song appears as the main theme in the final movement of Symphony No. 1, in the famous funeral march of Eroica, fate knocks at the door (of the goose house) in remembrance of Symphony No. 5, and the work ends with Ode to the Roast Goose (Symphony No. 9). A funny and cleverly arranged collage, a performing and listening pleasure in the footsteps of Beethoven.