The Wonderful Choral Music of Heinrich von Herzogenberg

Recommendation

“As exceptional as this music is, the success of the album is equally due to the superb interpretations provided by Markus Utz and the Ensemble Cantissimo.”

For anyone who loves choral music from the late romantic period, this lovely program from the little known composer Heinrich von Herzogenberg is highly recommended.

Herzogenberg was a contemporary and friend of Johannes Brahms. He was clearly inspired and influenced by that great composer’s choral music. The selections on this album are drawn from four sets of songs for a cappella mixed chorus. They are secular, and based upon themes of love and nature as is characteristic of the genre and period. Some of the songs are of a serious nature while others are playful and humorous. Always, Herzogenberg achieves vivid portrayals of the meaning of the verse in his music. The choral writing itself is harmonically lush, with piquant harmonic turns, lovingly resolved. Long melodic lines are often treated contrapuntally, with the melody drifting from voice to voice. In some songs, a mesmerizing tranquility is achieved while in others, Herzogenberg uses the full dynamic and harmonic range of his singers to produce glorious and thrilling culminations of sound.

As exceptional as this music is, the success of the album is equally due to the superb interpretations provided by Markus Utz and the Ensemble Cantissimo. This choir was formed of a group of young professional singers from Switzerland and Germany in 1994. Under Mr. Utz’ direction, they have been committed to the rediscovery of fascinating and often little known repertoire. As this recording is volume two of Herzogenberg’s choral music from Cantissimo, it’s very exciting to know that a first volume also exists (CRS 83451). Not having heard that recording yet, I can only recommend this volume with absolute confidence. For my part, I plan to add the first volume to my collection in anticipation of hearing more geogeous choral music by Heinrich von Herzogenberg.

Album Overview

Heinrich von Herzogenberg (1843–1900) is nowadays known to many as a composer primarily of sacred music. The ensemble cantissimo conducted by Markus Utz highlights a somewhat different facet of his manifold and, by far, not yet entirely rediscovered compositional oeuvre. In his secular choral music Herzogenberg convinces, amongst others, by his sensitive realization of the poetic content of the song lyrics. This second CD in Carus’s series unearths quite a number of treasures for mixed unaccompanied choir.

Source: Carus-Verlag online

Heinrich von Herzogenberg	Composer: Heinrich von Herzogenberg  Heinrich von Herzogenberg (10 June 1843 – 9 October 1900) was an Austrian composer and conductor descended from a French aristocratic family. … While Herzogenberg has tended to be characterized as a mere epigone of Brahms, many of his compositions… read more
Markus Utz	Conductor: Markus Utz Markus Utz studied Church Music, organ playing (under Professor Gerhard Weinberger) and conducting at the Academy of Music in Detmold. He received, however, his characterizing influences… read more
ensemble cantissimo	Performers: ensemble cantissimo Young professional singers from Germany and Switzerland have been forming cantissimo vocalensemble since 1994. The name “cantissimo” speaks for itself… read more

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