I.   L'tang II.  La Cornemuse Charles Martin Loeffler is not exactly a household name, even among classical music buffs. Born in placecountry-regionFrance, reared in placecountry-regionSwitzerland, and trained as a violinist in placecountry-regionGermany, Loeffler came to the placeNew World in the 1880s to try his luck in placecountry-regionAmerica's fledgling symphony orchestras. Indeed, he served as assistant concertmaster in the Boston Symphony until age 50, whereupon he put down the violin, married, became a gentlemen farmer, and emersed himself in composition.

Two Rhapsodies for Oboe, Viola & Piano, composed in 1901, show a composer less formal than, say, Brahms, and  more interested in expressing nuance through a variety of tone colors. For this purpose, he chose his instruments perfectly. Viola conveys depth of feeling, oboe adds exotic detail, and both are sustained by the reassuring ebb and flow of piano. One hears intimations of many composers - understandable considering Loeffler's extensive orchestral experiences - and the resulting mix is reflective of the musical styles vying for attention at the beginning of a new century.