Louis Glass (1864-1936)
       Chamber Works

String Sextet in G major, Op. 15 (1893 - 32:46)
Piano Quintet in C major, Op. 22 (1898 - 38:03)
Copenhagen Classic
CPO 999 859-2 [70:47]

This is a very pleasing and impressive new release from CPO.  Louis
Glass is an obscure Danish late-romantic composer whose inspiration
springs from the heart of the Romantic era.  Not one to experiment
in the emerging environment of atonal and neo-classical music, his
old-fashioned compositions were swept aside well before his death.

Fortunately, the last few years have seen Glass' star rise out of the
ashes.  Danacord has released the 6 Symphonies, DaCapo a disc of two
of Glass' String Quartets, and now we have the String Sextet and Piano
Quintet courtesy of CPO and Copenhagen Classic.  Although this is not
a wealthy discography, it does give Glass some well-deserved exposure.

Our composer was born in Copenhagen and began his musical training
as a young boy under the tutelage of his father who was a composer
of miniatures and owner of a piano music academy.  Eventually, Glass
became a student of Niels Gade, the most influential composer in Denmark.
Since Gade styled his music after Mendelssohn and Schumann, Glass' musical
education was entirely traditional.  A radical change for Glass took
place starting in 1889 when he traveled throughout Europe, soaking in
the music of Wagner, Bruckner, Franck, and Strauss.  When he returned
to Copenhagen, Glass was a converted late-romantic composer.  He co-founded
two musical societies having the aim of presenting Danish music and
unknown modern compositions to the public, and his influence in the
musical world of Denmark flourished.  With the First World War, the
late-romantic bubble burst, and Glass' musical aesthetic totally lost
its appeal.  In contrast, his compatriot Carl Nielsen was gaining in
popularity with music that reflected the great cultural changes after
the First World War.  For better or worse, once the 'derivative' tag is
assigned to a composer, the reputation takes a nose-dive.

The works on the CPO disc reveal a splendid musical mind that offers
tightly constructed arguments and a wealth of thematic invention.  What
makes the themes particularly compelling is how well Glass varies music
of energy and tension with sweetly poured passages; the contrast is
frequent and consistently interesting.  The melodies themselves, although
comely, are not likely to leave listeners humming passages a few hours
after hearing the music.  But there is a 'rightness' and natural progression
to the stream of melodies that this reviewer finds most reassuring.
Glass' Symphonies have a tendency to meander and lose some cohesion,
but none of that is in evidence in the String Sextet or Piano Quintet.

Both works are in the traditional four movements, and each one is
distinctive and highly rewarding.  The Sextet is an excellent piece;
among its many highlights are the rugged and sinister main themes of the
1st and 3rd Movements, the haunting images of the Scherzo's trio section,
and the cyclic return of the main theme of the 1st Movement towards the
end of the work.

When turning to the Piano Quintet, we find Glass at his artistic peak.
In addition to the piano part's expert integration into the musical
fabric, Glass' depth of expression is admirable, and the melodic lines
are among his most captivating.  The 1st Movement Allegro has ceremonial
activities as its foundation, while a 'Theme and Variations' 2nd Movement
Adagio displays passionate and wide deviations from the basic theme.
The 3rd Movement Allegretto scherzando has an ominous and highly energetic
primary theme followed by the sweet refrains of the trio.  It is the
final movement of the Piano Quintet that I find rather astounding for
its exceptional cohesion, myriad of compelling themes, improvisatory
elements, and rapturous emotional content; this ten-minute movement alone
is worth the price of the disc.

Copenhagen Classic is a string sextet ensemble from Denmark that had its
debut in 1997.  Although there are no comparison recordings of either
the Sextet or Quintet, I am confident that the group gives this music
all the lyricism and angst that can be derived from the scores.  Sonics
are excellent and contribute to the overall appeal of the recording.

Don's Conclusions: A beauty of a disc that I strongly recommend to anyone
with a warm spot for romantic chamber music.  Louis Glass might not be
one of the great composers, but he comes very close in these two superb
chamber works.  When the year comes to its conclusion, I expect that
this CPO disc will among my most rewarding acquisitions.

Don Satz
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