Not a one-hit wonder!

When you think of Dutch composers, the colourful name Johannes Bernardus van Bree (1801-1857) might not come to mind as quickly as his contemporary Johannes Verhulst (1816-1891), for instance. The latter made a name of himself in Leipzig, where he became friends with Felix Mendelssohn and Robert Schumann. Van Bree, on the other hand, stayed in his hometown of Amsterdam for most of his life, where he first pursued a career as a violin solo performer before he was appointed conductor of Felix Meritis, the cultural centre of Amsterdam in pre-Concertgebouw times.

Although deemed one of the most talented Dutch musicians of his time, van Bree was not as successful as he possibly could have been. He never gained unconditional trust by his employers, who would even go so far to have his works subjected to a quality check by foreign composers. Today, van Bree is mostly known for his Allegro for 4 string quartets, which has been performed many times, whereas a large body of his remaining, not less interesting pieces have yet to be performed or recorded. He composed a variety of works, including sacred music, two operas and symphonies as well as four overtures – of which the Kölner Akademie is happy to present two on their brand new CD.

The album opens with van Bree’s Overture in B minor, which breathes dramatic, Beethovenesque spirit. The Overture in E-flat major is dominated by lively, late-classical motifs. Since van Bree himself was a violinist, it’s a great pleasure for the Kölner Akademie to present his only surviving Violin Concerto in D minor on this record. With a performance duration of 15 minutes, it’s a relatively short, but nevertheless virtuoso concerto, with which van Bree could surely showcase his own qualities as a soloist. On our recording, the renowned violinist Ariadne Daskalakis is performing the solo part.

Van Bree’s two symphonies have not yet found their way onto a CD, but the Kölner Akademie proudly presents their rendition of his captivating Fantasy in the form of a symphony on this album. Join us in listening and elevating the heritage of another composer who has been largely forgotten!