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Love and Liverpool

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of German Romantic composer Max Bruch. Today, Bruch grapples with a new life in Britain, conducting the Liverpool Philharmonic Society.

Donald Macleod follows Bruch as he grapples with a new life chapter on British shores.

鈥淥nly true melody outlasts all changes and shifts of time鈥 鈥 so said this week鈥檚 composer, Max Bruch, the creator of what may be the world鈥檚 best-loved violin concerto. But Bruch would hate us to think of him as a one hit wonder. He even came to resent the very sound of his first Violin concerto, the only piece by which he鈥檚 often remembered. All this week, Donald Macleod colours in Bruch鈥檚 life story and reveals the breadth of his output, including some of his lesser-heard music.

Today, Bruch crosses the Channel and makes his way north to Liverpool to take up the post of conductor of the city鈥檚 Philharmonic Society. At first he鈥檚 resentful and lonely, but not for long. In his early 40s, Bruch at last finds love.

12 Scottish Folksongs: No 2- Johnie und Jenny
Darmstadt Concert Choir
Wolfgang Seelinger, conductor

Songs, Op 49 No 4 鈥 Serenade (dedicated to Clara)
Duo Dauenhauer Kuen
Anna Sophie Dauenhauer, violin
Lukas Maria Kuen, piano

Piano Quintet in G minor (iii. Scherzo and iv Allegro Agitato)
Goldner String Quartet
Piers Lane, piano

Gruss an die Heilige Nacht (Greeting to the Holy Night)
Katharina Kammerloher, alto
Peter Dicke, organ
WDR Rundfunkchor K枚ln
K枚lner Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester
Helmuth Froschauer, conductor

Kol Nidrei
Steven Isserlis (cello)
Connie Shih (piano)
Olivia Jageurs (harp)

Scottish Fantasy for violin and orchestra (iv. Allegro guerriero)
Nicola Benedetti, violin
蜜芽传媒 Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Rory Macdonald, conductor

Produced by Amelia Parker for 蜜芽传媒 Audio Wales and West

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Max Bruch

    Johnie und Jenny from 12 Scottish Folksongs

    Choir: Darmstadt Concert Choir. Conductor: Wolfgang Seeliger.
    • Christophorus CHE 0176-2.
    • Christophorus.
    • 2.
  • Max Bruch

    Serenade, Op 49, No 4 (arr for violin and piano)

    Performer: Anna Sophie Dauenhauer. Performer: Lukas Maria Kuen. Music Arranger: Anna Sophie Dauenhauer. Music Arranger: Lukas Maria Kuen.
    • CPO : 555505-2.
    • CPO.
    • 14.
  • Max Bruch

    Piano Quintet in G minor (3rd & 4th mvts)

    Performer: Piers Lane. Ensemble: Goldner String Quartet.
    • HYPERION : CDA 68120.
    • HYPERION.
    • 23.
  • Max Bruch

    Gruss an die Heilige Nacht, Op 62

    Performer: Peter Dicke. Singer: Katharina Kammerloher. Choir: Cologne Radio Choir. Orchestra: WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne. Conductor: Helmuth Froschauer.
    • CAPRICCIO : C-10870.
    • CAPRICCIO.
    • 13.
  • Max Bruch

    Kol Nidrei, Op 47

    Performer: Steven Isserlis. Performer: Connie Shih. Performer: Olivia Jageurs.
    • HYPERION : CDA-68394.
    • HYPERION.
    • 1.
  • Max Bruch

    Scottish Fantasy, Op 46 (Finale "Scots Wha Hae")

    Performer: Nicola Benedetti. Orchestra: 蜜芽传媒 Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Rory MacDonald.
    • DECCA : 478 6690.
    • DECCA.
    • 4.

Broadcast

  • Wed 14 May 2025 16:00

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