The 2 CDs in this Naxos ‘Discover’ series contain excerpts of 23 representative symphonies (150 minutes of music) of 23 important composers and that in very decent interpretations.
In the accompanying booklet Keith Harrison sketches a brief history of the symphony as a musical form, together with a short introduction of the life of the different composers, a succinct analysis of one of their major works and a historical context.
The origin of the symphony lies in the French and Italian ‘sinfonia’, an instrumental introduction (overture) or interpolation into a more extended work (an opera). In Italy with Alessandro Scarlatti, the overture became an independent instrumental work with three movements: fast, slow, fast.
Joseph Haydn should be considered as the father of the ‘Classical’ symphony, paving the way for such geniuses as Mozart and Beethoven.
Keith Anderson also analyzes technically the general form (movements) and the keys in which a classical symphony is written.
A must for all lovers of classical music.
Disc 1
01. Aradia Ensemble – Symphony in D Major, J-C 16 I. Alla breve
02. Aradia Ensemble – Symphony in D Major, J-C 16 II. Andante sempre piano
03. Aradia Ensemble – Symphony in D Major, J-C 16 III. Presto
04. Northern Chamber Orchestra – Symphony in E-Flat Major, Op. 4, No. 6, Wolf Eb5 I. Allegro maestoso
05. Northern Chamber Orchestra – Symphony in E-Flat Major, Op. 4, No. 6, Wolf Eb5 II. Adagio
06. Northern Chamber Orchestra – Symphony No. 22 in E-Flat Major, Hob. I22, the Philosopher III. Menuetto
07. Northern Chamber Orchestra – Symphony No. 22 in E-Flat Major, Hob. I22, the Philosopher IV. Finale. Presto
08. Capella Istropolitana – Symphony No. 35 in D Major, K. 385, Haffner IV. Finale. Presto
09. Capella Istropolitana – Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551 Jupiter II. Andante cantabile
10. Capella Istropolitana – Symphony No. 104 in D Major, Hob. I104 London I. Adagio – Allegro
11. Nicolaus Esterházy Sinfonia – Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92 I. Poco sostenuto – Vivace
12. Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra – Symphony No. 8 in B Minor, D. 759 Unfinished I. Allegro moderato (Featured in M
Disc 2
01. San Diego Symphony Orchestra – Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14, H. 48 II. Un Bal Valse – Allegro non troppo
02. San Diego Symphony Orchestra – Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14, H. 48 Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14 IV. Marche au
03. London Philharmonic Orchestra – Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73 II. Adagio non troppo – L’istesso tempo, ma g
04. Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra – Symphony No. 2 in B Minor I. Allegro
05. Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra – I. Symphony No. 10 in F-Sharp Minor I. Adagio (performing version by
06. Iceland Symphony Orchestra – Symphony No. 3 in C Major, Op. 52 III. Moderato Allegro (ma non tanto)
07. BBC Philharmonic Orchestra – Symphony No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 63 III. Rondo
08. Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra – Symphony No. 10 in E Minor, Op. 93 II. Allegro
09. New Zealand Symphony Orchestra – Symphony No. 3 Molto moderato
10. Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra – Symphony No. 1 Allegro vivace
11. Capella Istropolitana – Symphony No. 45 in F-Sharp Minor, Hob. I45 Farewell IV. Finale. Presto |
