La Stagione Frankfurt, Michael Schneider - Beck: Symphonies, Op. 3 & Overture to La mort d'Orphée (2004)

Tracklist

01. Symphony in D Major, Op. 3 No. 6 (Callen 18): I. Allegro con spirito
02. Symphony in D Major, Op. 3 No. 6 (Callen 18): II. Andante un poco adagio
03. Symphony in D Major, Op. 3 No. 6 (Callen 18): III. Presto
04. Symphony in B-Flat Major, Op. 3 No. 2 (Callen 14): I. Allegro con spirito
05. Symphony in B-Flat Major, Op. 3 No. 2 (Callen 14): II. Largo
06. Symphony in B-Flat Major, Op. 3 No. 2 (Callen 14): III. Minuettos I & II
07. Symphony in B-Flat Major, Op. 3 No. 2 (Callen 14): IV. Prestissimo
08. Symphony in F Major, Op. 3 No. 1: I. Allegro con spirito
09. Symphony in F Major, Op. 3 No. 1: II. Andante grazioso
10. Symphony in F Major, Op. 3 No. 1: III. Minuettos I & II
11. Symphony in F Major, Op. 3 No. 1: IV. Presto
12. La mort d'Orphée: Overture



This 2004 CD from CPO completes la Stagione Frankfurt's recordings of Franz Ignaz Beck's Symphonies, Op. 3, begun in 2000 with the Symphonies Nos. 3-5, released on CPO 999 390-2. Led by Michael Schneider and featuring members of Camerata Köln as section leaders and soloists, this fine ensemble performs on period instruments and renders Beck's works in a vivid and believable eighteenth century style, fully attuned to the various influences that shaped his music. These symphonies clearly developed from ideas promulgated by the Mannheim School, but Beck also absorbed Italian and French mannerisms, so the international flavor of these pieces is noteworthy. As much as they bear remarkable similarities to Haydn's symphonies of the same time period, particularly in their instrumentation and structure, they are also infused with dramatic effects borrowed from Parisian opera and are sometimes reminiscent in their wild energy and coloration of works by Gluck. This is most apparent in Beck's vigorous string writing, expressive wind passages, and bold departures into stormy music in minor keys. La Stagione Frankfurt produces subtly shaded timbres and is quite robust in tutti sections, with a huge sound for its small size. CPO's recording is superb, but a little on the hot side, so watch the volume.

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