F.L.AE. KUNZEN
Music for Piano
Thomas Trondhjem, piano

F.L.Ae. Kunzen, composer

About
Although Friedrich Ludwig Aemilius Kunzen came from a German family of musicians, it would not be wrong to call him Denmark’s first great piano virtuoso. He came to Copenhagen in 1795 and was appointed court conductor with responsibility for opera and sacred music, but it was his renown as a pianist that made the Copenhagen bourgeoisie regard him as a god. Of the many works he composed, few have survived, but those that have speak of immense musical talent. One can hear this for oneself on this new CD.

In his time Kunzen was also famous as the composer of the opera Holger Danske (Ogier the Dane, released on Dacapo) – it gave rise to a Copenhagen ‘Opera Feud’. And Kunzen is celebrated for his tireless zeal in introducing Mozart’s music in Copenhagen. His admiration of Mozart shines through the piano music, but all the same Kunzen has the artistic energy to break with his model and for example to write four movements in his piano sonata in C sharp minor, where the key too is surprising. The sonata is technically demanding, and shows us a mature composer full of self-confidence. Among the one-movement piano pieces it is worth noting the Divertimento in A major The designation divertimento is normally associated with lighter, entertaining pieces, but it is something of an understatement in this case. Kunzen has created a real little masterpiece that can be and has been compared to similar works by Haydn. It was written before Kunzen came to Copenhagen, but the composer probably played it at one of the soirées in a respectable bourgeois home like that of the theatre director Wilhelm von Warnstadt. A piece of Danish cultural history brought to life.

Reviews
Trondhjem certainly has his pulse on the music of Kunzen, fully conveying its lift and exuberance. The recorded sound is vibrant with plenty of air and clarity. (Classical Music Web)

Trondhjem brings an impressive Classical elegance and impish wit to this music, and his playing is stylishly fluent ... Kunzen's music is supremely well crafted, harmonically interesting and, not least, enormously good fun.
(International Record Review)

Thomas Trondhjem spielt immerhin engagiert genug, um die Qualitëten dieser Musik deutlich zu machen.
(Fono Forum)

Thomas Trondhjem plays well and easily commands the composer's pearly runs and roulades... Are you looking for charming, virtually unknown piano music in the Classical style? Give this a try. Artistic Quality: 8/10; Sound: 9/10
(Classics Today)

True classicism of a calibre that even Haydn would have been proud of ... Kunzen is more than just a curiosity, and the fine pianist Thomas Trondhjem makes this cd into a must for everybody that is interested in the doings of less known classical composers. (Berlingske Tidende)
Thomas Trondhjem's playing is sparkling clear and vigorous. The technical side of this recording is ideal too. (Jyllands-Posten)

The quality of this music is surprising: Exquisite craft, a freshness in ideas as well as in compositions and a great vitality. Thomas Trondhjem's playing is elegant and resolute. (Politiken)

Credits
Recorded at the Royal Academy of Music, Århus, in May 2002

Recording producer: Claus Byrith
Sound engineer: Claus Byrith

Cover picture: Jens Juel 1760-1802: “Øresundskysten ved Vedbæk. Aftenstemning”

This CD has been recorded in cooperation with
the Royal Danish Academy of Music, Århus