Arne Oldberg - The Composer at the Piano

Information

Composer: Arne Oldberg

1. Carillon
2. A Legend
3. Canzone
4. Fantasia in B-flat minor
5. Sextet: I. Quasi Adagio
6. Sextet: II. Andante Espressivo
7. Sextet: III. Animato
8. Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 45: I. Animato
9. Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 45: II. Quasi Adagio
10. Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 45: III. Allegro Moderato

Arne Oldberg, piano

Philip Farkas, horn

Arcule Sheasby, violin

Franz Polesny, violin

Harold Newton, viola

Dudley Powers, cello

Date: 2026

Label: Navona

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The compilation Arne Oldberg: The Composer at the Piano resurrects the legacy of a brilliant early 20th-century Swedish-American pianist-composer whose contributions were largely obscured by the rise of popular music. Oldberg’s distinct musical voice blends a lush, late-Romantic Brahmsian style with the evolving modernity of American pianism, evoking the lyricism of Grieg and Rachmaninoff. Featuring a diverse range of works—from intimate solo performances introduced by Oldberg himself to grander compositions like a cello sonata and a sextet—this collection effectively reintroduces a formidable talent, offering listeners a compelling testament to his sophisticated and uniquely beautiful artistry.

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1874, Arne Oldberg was an acclaimed pianist, composer, and educator who studied extensively under prominent European and American instructors, including Theodor Leschetizky and Josef Rheinberger. In 1897, he joined the faculty at Northwestern University's School of Music, where he ultimately directed the piano and composition departments from 1899 until his retirement in 1941. A prolific creator, Oldberg composed 67 opus numbers—including nine symphonies and various chamber works—frequently utilizing his summers in Estes Park, Colorado, to write. He consistently favored instrumental music and frequently conducted his own orchestral pieces with major American symphonies.

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