Sure — Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven were the major figures in 1800s Vienna. But they were the only ones. Vienna was the center of the musical world, and talent came from all over. Like Paul Wranitzky from Moravia. He and his brother Anton found fame and fortune in Vienna. In the 1790s he contacted both […]
Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice
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John Abraham Fisher Symphonies have plenty of hooks
John Abraham Fisher was all the rage in 18th Century London. He was a violin virtuoso with a streak of showmanship. By his thirties had a share in the Covent Garden Theatre, a hit oratorio making the rounds, and concertized frequently to great admiration (among the public, if not the critics). His six symphonies were […]
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Second volume of Auber opera overtures distinct improvement
Volume two of Daniel-François-Esprit Auber overtures builds on the strengths of the first. As before, maestro Dario Salvi and the Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice present several world premiere recordings — including a violin concerto. While I enjoyed the performances of the ensemble in volume one, I had some complaints about the quality of the […]
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Daniel Auber Overtures — great music, disappointing sound
This release is the first volume of a Daniel-François-Esprit Auber recording series. When finished, it will include all of Auber’s overtures. And that includes 31 opéras-comiques, seven opéras, three drames lyriques, and seven other stage works. Auber is mostly known for Fra Diavolo. The comic opera was an international hit when it premiered and is still performed today. But with over 40 […]
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Leopold Kozeluch symphonies continues apace with volume 3
Bohemian composer Leopold Kozeluch wrote about thirty symphonies. Even though this is volume three, there’s still quite a ways to go. The Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice continue their traversal with Mark Stilec, the conductor. The ensemble performs with lightness and energy, enhancing the classic elegance of Kozeluch’s music. In general, I’d characterize these works […]
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Leopold Kozeluch Masonic music well-crafted
Leopold Kozeluch’s career somewhat paralleled Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s – as did his music. Both were pianists. Like Mozart, Kozeluch wrote many symphonies (30) and piano concertos (22). He succeeded Mozart as the Hofmusik Compositor of the Viennese court. And Kozeluch, like Mozart, was a Freemason and wrote music for the Order. Kozeluch’s contribution was a […]
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Franz Ignaz Beck Symphonies Anticipate Mozart
Franz Ignaz Beck was part of the Mannheim School of the mid-1700’s. It was there that Johann Stamitz and his colleagues and students developed the language of the modern symphony, particularly with their use of dramatic contrasts and crescendoes (the famed “Mannheim Rocket”). Beck was a student of Stamitz, and fully embraced the new innovations. […]
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Zdenek Fibich overtures delight
Zdenek Fibich was almost an exact contemporary of Antonin Dovrak. And like his fellow Czech, Fibish’s music in infused with the energy of his country’s folk music. Volume Four of Naxos’ ongoing traversal of Fibich’s orchestral music is perhaps the most exciting installment so far. The disc collects several of Fibich’s overtures, as well as […]