Growing as time moves on...

 

Be wary. Leon Botstein also made a recording of Marx's mammoth Herbstsymphonie, but it is riddled with cuts. That is one reason why that version is much, much shorter than this one.

When I went through some late-Romantic composers last year, I found myself open to their musical language. That is not usually the case, for I find their endless way with music is often too much for me.

I like this one, though. It is long, structured in a way so each movement adds time to the final measurement. Thankfully, the music doesn't just rest on its laurels.

It is probably a boon that Marx's hometown team is all over this music as well. For when you arrive at its conclusion, the feeling of a satisfying journey has taken place. That is the hallmark of a successful late-Romantic work.

A review from 2023

The excesses of late-Romanticism abound in Joseph Marx’s 67-minute long Herbstsymphonie. The stars of this particular recording are the stunning CPO sound, which captures the myriad sounds of the symphony with great clarity, and the rapturous playing of the Graz Philharmonic Orchestra.

Each movement of Marx’s Autumn Symphony times longer as the work progresses. This isn’t a problem as each section is wonderfully contrasted. The shimmery opening, created from Strauss-ian multi-divisi strings and piano, harps, and celeste, alongside the wonderful opening cello motive leads into a playful, 2nd mvt. Viennese dance, with a nod to the clarinet.

The third movement is rather overwrought, leaning wholly into the Romantic aspect of this type of symphony. The final movement is an experience in and of itself; rustic folksiness, plus grandiose and majestic gestures that eventually land on the sunset of life at its conclusion. I am not normally taken with late-Romantic music, but Marx’s creation caught me in the right mood at the right time of life.

As mentioned before, the Graz PO turn in a lush and beautiful performance of a rarely heard symphony. The strings have presence and depth, while the winds are ably heard among the cushion of strings. I might have wanted more from the piano and celeste, but their subtle voice still carries well enough. The trumpet and xylophone features in the last movement are prominent enough to render the finale as something quite different from what came before.

Leon Botstein recorded this work nearly a decade earlier than CPOs, and also brings it in 10 minutes quicker, mainly through significant cuts in the 2nd and 4th mvts. Here with Wildner and Graz on CPO, we have the unabridged version, and lovely it is.

If you are in the mood for long-breathed, shimmering late-Romanticism, Marx’s Herbstsymphonie will do you just fine. Terrific sound and performances are merely frosting on a very luxurious cake.

 

 

Listen on YouTube

 

Works
Eine Herbstsymphonie

Ensemble
Graz Philharmonic Orchestra
Johannes Wildner, conductor

Label: CPO
Year: 2019
Total Timing: 67.00

 

If you like late Romanticism, the Autumn Symphony is a no-brainer.

Still, this is a nearly 70-minute symphony which grows as it moves forward in time. I suppose that is true for me as well!

Find more Marx recordings HERE!