Zurich sounds

If proof were needed that Switzerland, or more precisely Zurich, has produced at least technically impeccable, but also inspired and even inspiring music over the last two hundred years - here it is! In 2005, the Zentralbibliothek, founded in 1917, resumed the old Zurich tradition of New Year's pages in a slightly modified form: with a CD of piano music by Johann Carl Eschmann. This year's double CD Zurich sounds commemorates the centenary of the library with a cross-section of the rich holdings of the music collection. This section contains not only the music from the libraries of the General Music Society Zurich, the Opera House, the Tonhalle and the Conservatory, but also around 200 musicians' estates.

Songs and chamber music were recorded, commendably not only by Othmar Schoeck, the most famous composer living in Zurich, but also by musicians unknown today such as Friedrich Niggli, Emil Frey and Hans Jelmoli. Of course, works by Xaver Schnyder von Wartensee and Hans Georg Nägeli, the greats of 19th century Swiss music, and by Johann Carl Eschmann, whose music is always a great pleasure to listen to, were not to be missed. The world may not exactly have been waiting for a piano trio arrangement of Smetana's Moldova but Berlin-born Boris Mersson has certainly written it with skill and taste. The excellent Trio Fontane plays it beautifully and with verve. Its pianist Andrea Wiesli is not only responsible for the program selection, but also accompanies the soprano Muriel Schwarz and the baritone Ruben Drole in extremely lively interpretations of the songs. In addition, with Volkmar Andreaes Three intermezzi for piano presents an unknown work by the famous conductor. Last but not least, the outstanding piano trio "über ein Zürichsee-Lied" by Carl Rütti, a composition commissioned by the Central Library, rounds off two CDs with new sounds that we wish many listeners.