Julius Röntgen was one of those composers whose joy in music is evident in everything he wrote. Criticized in his lifetime for his lack of originality (meaning harmonic conservatism), it seems to me that if you have his ability to write good tunes and orchestrate them so effectively, then there’s little point in pursuing a more “modern” (meaning dissonant) idiom. The man clearly knew what he was doing, and if an hour or so of glittering, good-humored, expertly crafted music sounds off-putting, then all I can say is that I pity you.
This third disc in CPO’s ongoing Röntgen series contains some real gems, and even better than the first disc (containing Symphony No. 3) makes an ideal introduction to the composer. Toward the end of his life Röntgen composed a series of single-movement symphonies, mostly it seems for his own pleasure. No. 10 lasts less than 10 minutes, and pleasure is the name of the game: it’s deliciously bubbly, the waltz of its subtitle gradually stealing in and taking control of the music as it progresses. Symphonietta humoristica lives up to its title, with its brilliant but always light scoring and a few mischievous glances at the works of other composers. The Three Preludes and Fugues strike a more serious tone; their scoring has some impressionist touches, but honestly, where will you hear such imaginative color combinations as that at the start of the first prelude: harp, celesta, and bassoon!
The Suite “Old Netherlands” reflects Röntgen’s lifelong attachment to Dutch early and folk music, and it brings him close to the idiom of his good friend Edvard Grieg (think of the latter’s Holberg Suite, or the Old Norwegian Romance with Variations). It’s nothing more or less than a collection of splendid tunes, very effectively arranged and presented. As with previous discs in this series, the performances are all very confident, energetically conducted and well-played, and the engineering is excellent. A very enjoyable release indeed.
