Viola Gems / Various - Viola Gems [CD]

In a score the viola part is generally used for middle voices; less usually for soloistic purposes. On the other hand, with it's dark velvet-like timbre and warm sound spectrum the viola possesses a distinguished charm. These characteristics were actually only disclosed at the end of the 19th century. Moreover, the technique of viola playing kept developing from then on constantly. Violists on their side, began to arrange shorter but very well-known pieces for their instrument themselves. What resulted was nothing less than little treasures, gems. Eberhard Klemmstein selected a number of these wonderful offers which he arranged partially himself and which, however, he had not yet recorded and published. Together with his pianist, Oda Schmidt, he goes on a stroll through the world of shorter encore pieces of the romantic and late-romantic eras. In the middle are placed the very rarely heard "Hebrew Melodies" by Joseph Joachim, originally written for the viola and Klemmstein's own Viola Sonata from 2013. Thus, the present album is a goldmine not only for fans of the viola but also for professionals, while being an enriching discovery for all lovers of classical music.