jmc's classics
As mentioned there are many minor composers or obscure ones. One such is Jan Kalivoda or Kalliwoda (18-01-1866). I heard his Sixth Symphony last month on the Classical Music Channel on Cable and later ordered a CD. He was of Czech origin and many of the Slavic last names are spelled funny and hard to pronounce "Jan" is Czech for John.
He was a violinist and conductor in addition to being a composer. I checked out Arkiv Music and there are 30 recordings of his music. He is described by David Hurowitz of Classics Today as a "Missing link between Beethoven and Schuman". Among his compositions are seven symphonies, three String quartets several concertinos for violin and orchestra. A concertino is a short concerto. Also several overtures and piano music. He also wrote church music. He was music director of the now defunct Lower Rhenish Music Festival. He was very prolific with over 200 opus numbers. Of his contemporaries Robert Schumann admired his music. Robert Schumann was a mentor to Brahms. Much of Kalivoda's music is influenced by Czech folk music like his fellow countryman Anonin Dvorak. so was Bedrich Smetena who was also Czech. There are several other important Czech composers the two most famous are Dvorak and Smetena. I emjoy his sixth Symphony. the CD that I have is on the Centar label with with Jiri Malat conducting the Pilsen Radio orchestra. Pilsen (sometimes spelled "Plzen") is a city in the Czech Republic. This is where Pilsner beer was invented in the 19th century. I hope to be able to listen to more of his music in the near future.
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