Tyrol’s Choir and Orchestra Sound in the Romantic Era

This DVD is an essential building block in the project “Klingende Kostbarkeiten aus Tirol” (Musical Treasures from Tyrol) that Manfred Schneider, as Curator of the Music Collection of the Tyrolean Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum, has initiated and carried out in a consistent manner throughout all the musical eras. Tyrol’s symphonic tradition was also included, in particular, that of the 19th century. Having achieved this goal in connection with concerts featuring the premieres of newly discovered works, there is now a lasting acoustical legacy in the form of CDs. And so a representative and innovative medial documentation has finally become available also for this important sector of Tyrol’s cultural history.

The symphony composed in 1807 by Johann Baptist Gänsbacher is the first work by a Tyrolean composer in this genre that conforms to the model established by the great composers of the Viennese Classical era. The impressive symphonic works of Matthäus Nagiller (1815-1874) and Josef Pembaur (1848-1923) – music directors from Innsbruck – added further striking highlights. The Tyrolean composers Josef Netzer (1808-1864) and Johann Rufinatscha (1812-1893) achieved brilliant success with their symphonies in Vienna. All of these works were made accessible again for modern orchestral use and were performed in an ideal manner by the renowned Orchester Cappella Istropolitana Bratislava. Symphonic poems formed a central focal point in the creativity of the Innsbruck composer Ernst Tschiderer (1830-1916). They are presented here in their entirety for the first time – in a permanent acoustical version thanks to the superb recording by the Orchestra of the St. Blasius Academy.

Tyrolean composers have captured a central position in the field of church music. This applies especially to Ignaz Mitterer (1850-1924), the Chapel Master of Brixen’s Cathedral, and to Vinzenz Goller (1873-1953). Their sacred works achieved wide national circulation. Their most important compositions are included on this DVD, as are also the two large Masses by Magnus Ortwein OSB (1845-1919) from the Abbey Marienberg in South Tyrol. The tradition of acoustically splendid Tyrolean sacred music is represented by the magnificent festive Masses by Matthäus Nagiller and Josef Pembaur.