Various Pieces from Albumsbladen
Henrik Rung
This is a collection of seven pieces by the Danish guitarist and composer Henrik Rung (1807 - 1871). The pieces originate from Albumsblade, a collection of fifty miniatures by father and son Henrik and Frederik Rung, which were published in 1898.
Henrik Rung was one of the leading Danish composers from the 19th century. He learnt to play the guitar as a boy form amongst others the legendary Danish guitarist Soffren Degen. A knee injury in his youth caused him to be bed ridden for almost two years, but he spent this time well improving his guitaristic skills.
As a student he performed very well on the Conservatory of the Royal Chapel in Copenhagen. That’s why he was granted a scholarship abroad, he landed in Italy where he studied singing and choir composition. In this period he developed a great love for Italian Renaissance music.
After his studies he became Sang Mestre -singing teacher- for the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen and he founded the Cecilia Society Choir (Cćciliaforeningen). In this period he became best known for his songs and choral compositions.
Nevertheless he composed a few guitar works. Four Opus numbers are known, including a small collection of studies. Particularly his Polonaises from these works are technically more demanding, with many virtuoso excursions to the high positions.
Besides that he composed a number of contributions for Albumsblade, with Ricordanzi d’Italia and these seven pieces as an example. Here he shows his skill in presenting strong melodies and accompaniment, like in his choral works. Albumsblade Nr. 1 Tyrolienne is a simple piece with a clear traditional Austrian mood. Albumsblade Nr. 4 Impromptu is a melody in chords in A Major which feels quite choral-like. Albumsblade Nr. 8 Nocturne offers a simple but effective melody. Playing Albumsblade Nr. 12 Intermezzo, take care to play the chord progressions correctly. Albumsblade Nr. 17 Serenade provides some puzzling with the artificial harmonics in the end of the piece. Albumsblade Nr. 22 Sicilienne brings the warm sound of a Mediterranean folk song. The final piece Albumsblade Nr. 45 Capriccio is a free form with a bit more virtuosity than the other pieces.
I consider this music by Henrik Rung a welcome addition to the standard ‘easy’ 19th century repertoire by for instance Carcassi and Carulli, because they have a particular characteristic sound.