Julius Otto Grimm (1827-1903)
Symphonie en ré mineur, op. 19
Seconde Suite en forme de canon en sol majeur, op. 16

Sinfonieorchester Münster
Golo Berg, direction

Julius Otto Grimm was born in the Estonian port city of Pärnu, studied at the Leipzig Conservatory, and, after several stops, arrived in Münster, where he played such an outstanding role until his death in 1903 that the city’s symphony orchestra could not deny him the recognition he deserved in anticipation of his 200th birthday (2027). This recording showcases two of the most significant works from Grimm’s concise catalog: the youthful, passionate Symphony composed in Leipzig in 1852, paired with the second Canonical Suite from 1870, which the composer dedicated to his lifelong friend Johannes Brahms. This miniature masterpiece forms a bridge back to Johann Sebastian Bach, who undoubtedly inspired the refined contrapuntal artistry without ever relegating the self-avowed Romantic Grimm to the background.