Credits:

Alexander Walker

Description:

Born in Warsaw, Poland, Waghalter first made a name for himself as a violinist; he was recognized by Joseph Joachim and, with Joachims support, went on to study at the Berlin University of the Arts. He gained fame as a conductor and composer and was regarded as Germanys most important composer until World War II, but this album features two pieces from the opera *Mandragola*, written in 1914 when he was still at the height of his career, as well as the *New World Suite*, which reflects the New York City scenery he witnessed upon arriving in the United States at the age of 58, in a state of despair after being persecuted by the Nazis. (C)RS