VANHAL: Symphonies Vol. 1

Grodd, Uwe;
Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia

8.554341

Among the many new disc of forgotten music by Mozart’s contemporaries this Naxos issue stands out. These four compact Symphonies are all winningly colourful and inventive, often bringing surprises that defy the conventions of the time. The Esterházy Sinfonia under Uwe Grodd give attractively lively performances with some stylish solo work, vividly recorded.

The second disc in the Naxos Vanhal series is hardly less impressive than the first. The B flat Symphony (from the early 1760s) reminds the listener of both Haydn and Mozart. The D minor Symphony in only three movements, written a decade later, is scored for five horns, yet the main string theme of the first movement is quite haunting. The G minor work (1775) also has an endearingly gracious first movement, although horns are still prominent in the scoring. Excellent, polished performances from the City of London Sinfonia under Andrew Watkins on and very good recording. • Penguin Guide, January 2009

CD

Muzyka klasyczna

Naxos

08-07-1999

636943434123

Cannes Classical Awards: Winner (2011)