Suk Chamber Orchestra Prague, Josef Vlach - Prague 1770: Bohemian Music of the 18th Century (1997) CD-Rip

One of the benefits wrought by the CD era was the recording of composers and repertoire that the big international labels would never even consider in the LP era. Many small Cd labels did very well with early music, composers of national or regional repertoire and minor composers of all eras some of whom were major composers in their day. This is the case with the three composers on this disc, all of whom had reputations throughout Europe. But such was the glory of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven that few composers of their times were ever heard again, at least on recordings. This recording was one of the earlier to record these three winning Bohemian composers. It is the same as the Supraphon Recording (probably a licensing agreement) and also existed earlier on MD&G with a blue cover and without the "Prague 1700" title. I don't know if the recording was remastered when given the new title and cover but Dabringhaus und Grimm always had great sound anyway.

Tuma is the earliest of the three composers, born at the beginning of the 18th century and composing in the Late Baroque style. Like most Bohemian composers he spent his career in Vienna where he eventually became attached to the Imperial Court. Though mostly a composer of sacred choral works, here he is represented by his Partita in D-minor, a work that already shows leanings toward classical period style and which is both beautiful and memorable.

Myslivecek is known today mostly for his close friendship with the younger Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and is often cited as a model for the early Mozart symphonies. Myslivecek was unusual for his time, never working for a noble or prelate but instead, living a free life as a teacher and composer (though he did accept gifts from noble admirers). Also unusual for a Bohemian composer, he spent almost his entire career in Italy rather than Austria. He had a rather wild reputation, known for his highly emotional nature, spendthrift ways and affairs with many women. He was a prolific composer in all forms including opera. He is represented here by a Sinfonia and a Divertimento, each of three movements. The music is elegant, graceful and have an intensity to them.

Kozeluch was known in his day as a great keyboard player and wrote 22 piano concertos and a large number of piano sonatas.. He spent his career attached to the Imperial Court in Vienna. When Mozart left the Archbishop's court in Salzburg the position was offered to Kozeluch but he would not take it. His Sinfonia Francese here is twice as long as any of the other works here and is in four movements. It also is the most purely Classical Period work of the group.

Josef Vlach was a well known Czech violinist and conductor who also founded the Vlach Quartet. The playing of the Suk Chamber Orchestra is excellent and totally in tune with the spirit of these works. As noted earlier, the sound is excellent and it's easy to recommend this disc to anyone interested in the period and these composers.