A trio of neglected but beautiful works by Dutch Romantic composers in authoritative studio recordings by a Dutch ensemble.

This album brings together three composers who played a leading role in the musical culture of Amsterdam in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Apart from their fame as composers, all three were influential conductors and virtuoso instrumentalists. Johannes Bernardus van Bree was a violinist, Johannes Meinardus Coenen a bassoonist and Julius Röntgen a pianist. They were representatives of the classical-romantic compositional style of the Leipzig School, whose most important representative was Felix Mendelssohn.

At least in the Netherlands, Van Bree's most famous work is the ambitious Allegro, which he wrote for four string quartets in 1845. This quartet of quartets is a tour de force in the style of Mendelssohn's Octet and Louis Spohr's double quartets.

After his death in 1857, Coenen took up his post as conductor of Amsterdam's most prestigious music society. As a former bassoonist, Coenen knew how to write idiomatically for wind instruments; this wind quintet from 1850 is an extensive, half-hour work in four movements full of cheerful melodies and warm humor.

in 1876, the 21-year-old Röntgen composed a Serenade for the more unusual combination of seven wind instruments. The serenade was performed the following year in Leipzig, where it was well received by Brahms: "This serenade by Röntgen was quite enchanting, really enchanting. Such a wonderful freshness, cleverness and intimacy.

It is the best work of his that I have heard. And what's more, as such a sincere and warm-hearted young person, it gives you such pleasure." In fact, Brahms liked the Serenade so much that he incorporated elements of it into his own Second Symphony (and later apologized to the young composer for doing so).

So the album not only sheds light on Dutch musical life during the golden era of musical Romanticism, but also sheds fascinating light on a canon symphony. Like the other works here, it is performed with feeling and enthusiasm by the Dutch musicians of the Viotta Ensemble.

- The 19th century classical music scene in the Netherlands was lively and extremely productive, characterized by a mixture of local talent and European influences. This period saw the emergence of renowned composers and musicians who had a significant influence on Dutch music, including Julius Röntgen, Johannes Bernardus van Bree and Cornelis Coenen.

- Julius Röntgen (1855-1932) was a German-Dutch composer and pianist who played a decisive role in Dutch music. After moving to Amsterdam in 1884, Röntgen co-founded the Amsterdam Conservatory, where he produced a generation of musicians. His extensive oeuvre includes symphonies, chamber music and songs that often reflect German Romanticism while incorporating Dutch folk elements.

- Johannes Bernardus van Bree (1801-1857) was an important figure in Dutch classical music. Van Bree, conductor, composer and violinist, is best known for his 'Allegro for four string quartets', a highly original and lively work in the style and spirit of Mendelssohn.

- Cornelis Coenen (1826-1896) was another important contributor, known for his work as a violinist, conductor and composer. Coenen's compositions, including symphonies and operas, were widely recognized and performed. He was actively involved in the Caecilia Society, an organization that promoted choral music in the Netherlands.

- Performed by the Viotta Ensemble, consisting of members of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, conducted by Victor Liberman, the orchestra's concertmaster.

- Recordings from 1992-1994, reissued by NM Classics, the label for music from the Netherlands.