Last Chapters

Berthold Goldschmidt's "Last Chapters" is a captivating collection of late works by the German-British composer, released in 2012 under the Largo label. This album spans a total of 55 minutes and features eight tracks, including his String Quartets No. 2 and No. 3, as well as chamber songs set to poems by Erich Kaestner, notably "Belsatzar." The album showcases Goldschmidt's unique compositional voice, blending German and British influences, and is performed by esteemed ensembles such as the Mandelring Quartet and the ars-nova-ensemble Berlin, with Alan Marks on the piano. Goldschmidt, who lived in Britain for 60 years despite not considering himself a British composer, offers a profound and introspective journey through his final creative expressions. The album is a testament to his enduring legacy and his significant contributions to the world of classical music.