One thing I like about Naxos’ Wranitzky series is the concept. It really is a survey of his orchestral music — not just his symphonies. Not that there isn’t enough material — Wranitzky wrote 56 symphonies. This volume presents one of his ballets, along with an occasional piece for Empress Marie Therese. Das Waldmädchen (The Forest […]
Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice
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Johann Vanhal Symphonies, Volume 5 — More, please!
Volume five of Naxos’ Vanhal series features some significant works. It includes his Symphony in C, Bryan C7b. This was one of Vanhal’s most popular and widely disseminated compositions. It was even performed at the Esterhazy orchestra, directed by Haydn. Some of the printed editions mistakenly credit the work to Haydn! Though composed in 1772, […]
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Paul Wranitzky Orchestral Works 3 – More than just Pre-Beethoven
This release features all world premiere recordings. That’s exciting, but perhaps not that unusual. Paul Wranitzky was a major figure in 18th Century Vienna. But his music has long since been overshadowed by his colleagues — Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven. Fortunately, there are recordings like this one. Wranitzky was a talented composer, and his music […]
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Paul Wranitzky Symphonies Anticipate Beethoven
Volume two of Naxos’ Wranitzky series features all world premiere recordings. Of course, that’s not so hard to do. As popular as Paul Wranitzky was in 1800s Vienna, he remains all but unknown today. And that’s also why a release of never-heard-before recordings is so exciting. Wranitzky moved to Vienna from Moravia in the 1770s […]
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Joseph Boulogne Symphonie Concertantes solid entertainment
Joseph Boulogne was one of the most brilliant composers and violinists in France — and a person of color. Still, he was a prominent and influential musical figure in 1770s Paris. He was renowned as a conductor, performer, and composer. Boulogne was an extraordinary violinist, and composed fourteen concertos for himself to perform. He also […]
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Paul Wranitzky Orchestral Works worth a listen
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 conducted both […]
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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 […]