Even less well known than Vieuxtemps is his contemporary Theodore Gouvy. Born in 1819 in what now is Saarbrucken, Germany, he belonged to a French family and acquired French citizenship when he was 30. Like Vieuxtemps´his music is melodious, ingenious and well written. Berlioz, often a nasty critic, was nice to him, and Brahms and Joseph Joachim had him in high esteem.
This 3 cd album introduce us to his chamber music, 2 quartets and a piano trio, some of his orchestral music, a Sinfonietta, some concert overtures and a violin fantasy and cantatas for solo voice. Everything is accomplished, not masterpieces if we compare him to Brahms, but that is not fair, as it wouldn´t be fair to compare Vieuxtemps with Brahms.
Dear Fergus, I think you would enjoy this album.
