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ClassicalFurs: Stuck on Hans Rott
11 years ago
General
For well over a month now, I have had one composition as my go-to piece for both work and play. The composer is Hans Rott and the piece, the Symphony in E Major.
Hans Rott is still a relatively unknown composer today. Born 1858 in Braunhirschengrund, a suburb of Vienna, Austria, Rott came from a family of performers. His mother Maria was an actress and singer, while his father Carl was a famous comedian in Vienna. Rott is best known as the "founder of the New Symphony" according to Gustav Mahler, who was not only a good friend of Rott's but also a classmate/roommate while the two studied at the Conservatory. Rott studied under Anton Bruckner, and graduated with honors from Bruckner's organ class in 1877. Bruckner complimented Rott on his ability to play Bach, as well as his ability to improvise. Quite the compliment considering Bruckner's improvisation abilities!
Rott wrote the first movement of his Symphony in E Major when he was only 19 years old! His ambition and talent, however, failed to impress Johannes Brahms and Hans Richter, the two composers that Rott hoped would perform his symphony. Brahms did not appreciate Bruckner and the influence he had over the Conservatory students, and he even told Rott that he should consider giving up music; that he had no talent whatsoever. (This could not have been more falsely stated!)
Following the harsh criticism from both Brahms and Richter, Rott fell into a deep depression that he was never able to completely shake. In October of 1880, Rott reportedly threatened a fellow train passenger (who happened to be lighting a cigar) with a revolver, claiming that Brahms had filled the train with dynamite. A year later Rott was committed to a mental hospital, and in 1883 he we diagnosed with hallucinatory insanity, persecution mania. Recovery was not expected. He died of tuberculosis a year later, at the young age of 25, with Bruckner and Mahler both attending his funeral at the Zentralfriedhof.
It's really unfortunate that Rott died at such a young age. Many scholars believe that, had Rott composed longer, his work may have even overshadowed Mahler today. While listening to the Symphony in E Major, you may hear certain passages that sound very Mahler-esque. Mahler may have "borrowed" some ideas from Rott, but the consensus seems to be that it was done more in honor of Rott's work, rather than simply Mahler stealing Rott's ideas. After all, had it not been for Mahler's popularity (and friendship with Rott), we would likely never have known that Rott existed to begin with!
I hope that you enjoy the Symphony in E Major as much as I do. I just can't get it out of my head! Or maybe I just have a soft spot for misunderstood composers? Either way, I think you'll enjoy it very much.
Hans Rott's Symphony in E Major
The best recorded version I have come across is CPO's recording of the Symphony in E Major with Dennis Russell Davies conducting. The Hyperion version has slightly better audio quality, however, there are particular passages that are paced too slow IMO. An Amazon link to the CPO version is listed below. Enjoy furfans!!
Buy Hans Rott's Symphony in E Major - CPO
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svelto
Hans Rott is still a relatively unknown composer today. Born 1858 in Braunhirschengrund, a suburb of Vienna, Austria, Rott came from a family of performers. His mother Maria was an actress and singer, while his father Carl was a famous comedian in Vienna. Rott is best known as the "founder of the New Symphony" according to Gustav Mahler, who was not only a good friend of Rott's but also a classmate/roommate while the two studied at the Conservatory. Rott studied under Anton Bruckner, and graduated with honors from Bruckner's organ class in 1877. Bruckner complimented Rott on his ability to play Bach, as well as his ability to improvise. Quite the compliment considering Bruckner's improvisation abilities!
Rott wrote the first movement of his Symphony in E Major when he was only 19 years old! His ambition and talent, however, failed to impress Johannes Brahms and Hans Richter, the two composers that Rott hoped would perform his symphony. Brahms did not appreciate Bruckner and the influence he had over the Conservatory students, and he even told Rott that he should consider giving up music; that he had no talent whatsoever. (This could not have been more falsely stated!)
Following the harsh criticism from both Brahms and Richter, Rott fell into a deep depression that he was never able to completely shake. In October of 1880, Rott reportedly threatened a fellow train passenger (who happened to be lighting a cigar) with a revolver, claiming that Brahms had filled the train with dynamite. A year later Rott was committed to a mental hospital, and in 1883 he we diagnosed with hallucinatory insanity, persecution mania. Recovery was not expected. He died of tuberculosis a year later, at the young age of 25, with Bruckner and Mahler both attending his funeral at the Zentralfriedhof.
It's really unfortunate that Rott died at such a young age. Many scholars believe that, had Rott composed longer, his work may have even overshadowed Mahler today. While listening to the Symphony in E Major, you may hear certain passages that sound very Mahler-esque. Mahler may have "borrowed" some ideas from Rott, but the consensus seems to be that it was done more in honor of Rott's work, rather than simply Mahler stealing Rott's ideas. After all, had it not been for Mahler's popularity (and friendship with Rott), we would likely never have known that Rott existed to begin with!
I hope that you enjoy the Symphony in E Major as much as I do. I just can't get it out of my head! Or maybe I just have a soft spot for misunderstood composers? Either way, I think you'll enjoy it very much.
Hans Rott's Symphony in E Major
The best recorded version I have come across is CPO's recording of the Symphony in E Major with Dennis Russell Davies conducting. The Hyperion version has slightly better audio quality, however, there are particular passages that are paced too slow IMO. An Amazon link to the CPO version is listed below. Enjoy furfans!!
Buy Hans Rott's Symphony in E Major - CPO
-
svelto
and Brahms really can be a c**t sometimes, I never liked his philosophy or personality...
With regards to the symphony, it's very nice! Certainly in good company with early Mahler...and some passages in the first movement sound awfully familiar...It's a real shame that he died at 25; many other composers peaked quite a bit later in life than that, so it's likely that he would have grown to be as influential as Bruckner and Mahler.
*Everyone has different lists, of course, but my point is simply that I don't think there's a solid argument to group Brahms in with the likes of Beethoven and Bach.
While I agree with you that Brahms hardly deserves the same recognition as Bach and Beethoven, it's hard for me to say that I dislike Brahms' music 100%. Have you heard his Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor? It isn't too bad! That said, Brahms still seemed like a real jerk. I'm sure part of his attitude was due to jealousy of Rott's ability.
I thought you would be amused.
Dominus tecum
Yes, the more I hear about Brahms the more disappointed I am in his demeanor. It makes you wonder whether he had any idea how much of an impact his words had on Rott. Part of me hopes that he knew and that it bugged him for the rest of his life! Encouragement and constructive criticism would have made for a much better alternative to ridicule. I genuinely feel bad for Hans Rott!
Rott was an unfortunate victim of that musical war in Germany. It is very sad. He was brilliant. I have loved his Symphony since I purchased the Hyperion record back in the 90s.
Dominus tecum
Thank you for introducing the Rott Symphony to a new generation! Truly, as Mahler lamented, music has no idea the treasure it has lost in him!
Dominus tecum
Dominus tecum
The journal-writer really needs to fix that error!