Hartmann: Chamber Music Elisabeth Zeuthen Schneider

• Emil Hartmann (1836 - 1898): Piano Quintet in G Minor, Op. 5:
• 1 Piano Quintet in G Minor, Op. 5: I. Poco andante - Allegro 12:21
• 2 Piano Quintet in G Minor, Op. 5: II. Romanza - Andantino con moto 05:20
• 3 Piano Quintet in G Minor, Op. 5: III. Scherzo - Allegretto vivo, sempre molto leggiero 03:09
• 4 Piano Quintet in G Minor, Op. 5: IV. Finale - Allegro molto 06:21
• String Quartet in A Minor:
• 5 String Quartet in A Minor: I. Allegro 06:27
• 6 String Quartet in A Minor: II. Andante cantabile 04:08
• 7 String Quartet in A Minor: III. Menuet 02:55
• 8 String Quartet in A Minor: IV. Finale 05:01
• String Quartet in C Minor, Op. 37:
• 9 String Quartet in C Minor, Op. 37: I. Moderato 08:04
• 10 String Quartet in C Minor, Op. 37: II. Andante 03:51
• 11 String Quartet in C Minor, Op. 37: III. Minuetto 02:47
• 12 String Quartet in C Minor, Op. 37: IV. Rondo 05:54
• Andante & Allegro for Violin & Piano, Op. 12:
• 13 Andante & Allegro for Violin & Piano, Op. 12 09:57
• Total Runtime 01:16:15

Info for Hartmann: Chamber Music

Emil Hartmann had a heavy family heritage to lift, being the son of one of the true greats in Danish music life, the composer and organist J.P.E. Hartmann. In Denmark, Emil Hartmann had difficulty freeing himself from his father’s shadow, but in Germany, things were easier. On this release, Elisabeth Zeuthen Schneider and friends delve into his chamber musical key works, providing the perfect showcase for the romantic flair of Emil Hartmann, making his lines sing beautifully and virtuosic passages dance, and finding intimacy and eloquence at telling moments.

"That we do not hear the music of the Danish-born Emil Hartmann is our tragic loss, for these world premiere recordings evince that he was an outstanding composer. Surrounded by a successful musical family, his father and brother-in-law (Niels Gade) were both famous composers, it was an atmosphere that found Emil often taking refuge in a mental home. Born in 1836, from an early age he had ambitions of becoming a composer in many guises, though too much was probably expected of him. Stylistically he belonged to the generation that had given Felix Mendelssohn to the world, and it was the refinement, elegance and textures of his German counterpoint that provided the basis for Emil’s output. Much of it was not published in his lifetime, and most has since remained undisturbed in the Royal Danish Library, with all of the works on this disc being recorded for the first time. But as you will discover in the four movements of the Piano Quintet, had it carried the name of Robert Schumann, it would have readily found a place in the chamber music repertoire. Thematically it falls kindly on the memory, the distribution of parts for the five performers only marginally favouring the piano. The slow movement is of innate beauty, while the scherzo and finale are full of bubbling good humour. Two String Quartets probably came from his later years—he died in 1898—and as with the Quintet, Hartmann’s gift of using equal voices that intertwine, permeate both scores. They are in four movements, the slow andante coming second, and are substantial in length, an Andante and Allegro for violin and piano, dedicated to Gade, offered here as an encore. Assembled from distinguished musicians from Denmark, Belgium and Germany, the ensemble have a flawless and cultivated tonal quality, admirable captured in ideally balanced sound. Much recommended." (David’s Review Corner)

Elisabeth Zeuthen Schneider, violin
Nicolas Dupont, violin
Tony Nys, viola
Justus Grimm, cello
Daniel Blumenthal, piano

Elisabeth Zeuthen Schneider
Teaches violin and chamber music. Artistic Director of the Academy's Junior Strings. Educated at the Royal Danish Academy of Music with further studies in the United States. She has previously taught at the Academy of Music in Malmö and at the Academy of Music in Aalborg. She has been employed as a principal player with the Royal National Orchestra and the Danish National Symphony Orchestra.

She has extensive concert activities and has published many CD recordings. She also plays baroque violin and has been instrumental in the establishment of early music at the Academy.

Elisabeth Zeuthen Schneider studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Music with Professor Milan Vitek and Professor Endre Wolf. Her soloist debut was given the highest mark. She continued her studies in the U.S. with Alexander Schneider from the Budapest Quartet and Isidore Cohen of the Beaux Art Trio. She also spent time with Stanley Ritchie, professor of baroque violin at Indiana University (Jacobs School of Music).

Elisabeth Zeuthen Schneider has received the some of the most renowned Danish grants and awards, among others, the Carl Nielsen Award and the Sonning Foundation travel scholarships. She has been a soloist with all of the Danish symphony orchestras and for several years she was assistant concertmaster of the Royal Danish National Orchestra and the Danish National Symphony Orchestra.

Elisabeth Zeuthen Schneider has toured in France, Germany, Belgium, Iceland, the United States and now combines her position as associate professor of violin and chamber music with concerts, lectures and projects. She has recorded numerous CDs.

For ten years she was teacher in the Nordic Music Academy with Nikolaj Znaider as artistic director.

Elisabeth Zeuthen Schneider is now a teacher / active musician in: Thy Chamber Music Festival and Hvide Sande Masterclass.

Elisabeth Zeuthen Schneider has been active in the development of the Early music study programme at the Royal Danish Academy of Music. Furthermore, she has contributed greatly to the development of instrumental teaching as well as numerous "food chain" projects.

Booklet for Hartmann: Chamber Music