HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Karl Goldmark

Born on 18 May 1830 in Keszthely, Hungary, Karl Goldmark was a Jew born of a birthing machine, being one of twenty children. Goldmark was a capable composer himself, though perhaps not so prolific. He's a good listen as a minor composer, but gets more criticism than accolades upon comparison to such as Jewish Mendelssohn or the decidely not Jewish Richard Wagner. He began to study violin at an academy in Sopran in 1842, then studied in Vienna in 1846 where he would also teach and become a music critic. IMSLP provides data to as early as Goldmark's Op 4 composed in the latter fifties: 'Piano Trio No.1', published in 1865. Ten opuses later arrived 'Suite No.1 for Violin and Piano' in D major Op 11, published in 1869.

'Piano Trio No.1' Op 4 Karl Goldmark

Composed c 1858/59 Published 1865

Mendelssohn Piano Trio

Wilhelm Altmann IMSLP

'Suite No.1 for Violin and Piano' Op 11 D major Karl Goldmark

Five movements published 1869

1: Allegro

2: Andante sostenuto

3: Allegro ma non troppo

4: Allegro moderato quasi Allegretto

5: Presto - Allegro Vivac

Violin: Orsolya Korcsolá Piano: Emese Mali

IMSLP

Goldmark premiered his initial opera, 'Die Königin von Saba' ('The Queen of Sheba'), at the Hofoper in Vienna on 10 March of 1875. This is the story of two lovers, Assad and Sulamith, scheduled to be married the day after the Queen of Sheba's arrival to King Solomon's Court. But the Queen tempts the husband-to-be, desiring him for herself. She succeeds and he cancels his wedding plans. In the process he commits blasphemy, calling the Queen his God, for which the punishment is execution. He is banished to the desert instead, but is fearsomely beaten by a sandstorm. Assad's beloved, Salumith, finds and forgives him before he dies in her arms.

Overture to 'Die Königin von Saba' ('Queen of Sheba') First opera by Karl Goldmark

Premiere 10 March 1875 at the Hofoper in Vienna

Libretto in German: Hermann Salomon Mosenthal

Hungarian State Opera Ádám Fischer

Feel the Blues Paul Corfield Godfrey IMSLP

Opera Scotland John Palmer La Scena Musicale Wikipedia

Goldmark's first symphony, 'Rustic Wedding Symphony' in E flat major Op 26, was first performed in Vienna on 5 March 1876. The next year he performed and published his 'Violin Concerto No.1' in A minor Op 28.

'Symphony No.1' ('Ländliche Hochzeit' = 'Rustic Wedding') Op 26 Karl Goldmark

Premiere 15 March 1876 at the Hofoper in Vienna conducted by Hans Richter

Utah Symphony Orchestra Maurice Abravanel

IMSLP Robert Stumpf II Wikipedia

'Violin Concerto No.1' Op 28 A minor Karl Goldmark

Composed and published in 3 movements in 1877

Luxembourg Radio Orchestra Louis de Froment

Violin: Ruggiero Ricci

IMSLP Michael Jameson Score Wikipedia

Come Goldmark's opera, 'Merlin', on 3 January of 1887 with its libretto by Siegfried Lipiner. Merlin is, of course, that magician in legends of British King Arthur. About a year after the premiere of 'Merlin' Goldmark's 'Symphony No.2' saw performing by the Vienna Philharmonic on 26 February 1888. Come his 'Overture for Orchestra', 'Sappho', to Vienna on 26 November 1893.

Overture to 'Merlin' Second opera by Karl Goldmark

Premiere 19 Nov 1886 at the Hofoper in Vienna Revised 1904

Libretto: Siegfried Lipiner

Philharmonie Festiva Gerd Schaller

Stephen Eddins IMSLP Libretto Wikipedia

'Symphony No.2' Op 35 Last symphony by Karl Goldmark

Premiere 26 Feb 1888 by the Vienna Philharmonic

Rhenish Philharmonic Orchestra Michael Halász

Keith Anderson IMSLP

'Sappho' Op 44 Overture for orchestra by Karl Goldmark

Premiere 26 Nov 1893 by the Vienna Philharmonic conducted by Hans Richter

Bamberger Symphoniker Fabrice Bollon

IMSLP

Living well into the 20th century, Goldmark apparently began to write the memoir, 'Erinnerungen aus meinem Leben' ('Memories from My Life'), in 1910, published posthumously twelve years later. IMSLP lists opus number assignments to as late as 'Piano Quintet No.2' in C sharp minor Op 54 composed in 1914, published posthumously in 1916.