大象传媒

Donald Macleod explores Maier鈥檚 skyrocketing career as a violin virtuoso in the late 1870s, in conversation with Dr Jennifer Martyn.

Amanda Maier (1853-1894) was one of the 19th century鈥檚 most brilliant musicians, yet whose story was almost lost to history. Born in the small Swedish town of Landskrona, her virtuoso talent at the violin saw her rise to become one of Europe鈥檚 most in-demand performers: giving private and public concerts of major works by Brahms, Mendelssohn, and Bruch, as well as her own dazzling compositions. Maier was a friend of Grieg, Brahms, Clara Schumann and Ethel Smyth and her music was reviewed in newspapers across Europe. Tragically, ill health would see her pass away at the age of just 41 and her musical legacy slowly forgotten. All this week, Donald Macleod is joined by musicologist and violinist Dr Jennifer Martyn to celebrate Amanda Maier's life and work - with performances of all her extant compositions alongside works by key figures in her life, including Edward Grieg, Carl Reinecke and Maier's husband, Julius R枚ntgen, with whom she enjoyed a close and loving relationship in music and in life.

After an acclaimed solo concert at Leipzig鈥檚 famous Gewandhaus, Amanda Maier found herself in demand across Northern Europe. Donald Macleod and Dr Jennifer Martyn explore what set her apart as a solo performer, as well as charting her developing love affair with the shy young composer Julius R枚ntgen.

Nine Pieces for violin and piano:
No 4 (Allegro Molto)
Cecilia Zilliacus, violin
Bengt Forsberg, piano

Piano Trio in E flat major (1st mvt)
Cecilia Zilliacus, violin
Kati Raitinen, cello
Bengt Forsberg, piano

Nine Pieces for violin and piano (excerpts):
No 2 (Allegro con moto); No 1 (Allegro Vivace); No.5 (Tranquillo); No.6 (Schneller)
Cecilia Zilliacus, violin
Bengt Forsberg, piano

Karol Lipinski: Violin Concerto No 2 鈥淢ilitaire鈥� (2nd mvt)
Albrecht Breuninger, violin
Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Wojciech Rajski

Nine Pieces for violin and piano:
No 3 (Allegro con moto)
Cecilia Zilliacus, violin
Bengt Forsberg, piano

Nine Pieces for violin and piano:
No 7 (Sehr ruhig); No 8 (Nicht zu langsam); No 9 (Allegro, ma non troppo)
Cecilia Zilliacus, violin
Bengt Forsberg, piano

Produced by Steven Rajam for BBB Audio Wales & West