Sinfonia Varsovia, Ian Hobson - Moritz Moszkowski: Orchestra Music, Vol. 4 (2026) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Symphony in D Minor: I. Maestoso – Allegro appassionato, più mosso
02. Symphony in D Minor: II. Vivo
03. Symphony in D Minor: III. Larghetto
04. Symphony in D Minor: IV. Presto non tanto, più mosso
05. 6 Episodes from the Ballet Laurin: No. 1, Introduction & Dance of the Rose Elves
06. 6 Episodes from the Ballet Laurin: No. 2, March of the Dwarfs
07. 6 Episodes from the Ballet Laurin: No. 3, Sarabande et Double
08. 6 Episodes from the Ballet Laurin: No. 4, Valse Coquette
09. 6 Episodes from the Ballet Laurin: No. 5, Nachtstück
10. 6 Episodes from the Ballet Laurin: No. 6, Bacchanale

The Polish composer Moritz Moszkowski (1854–1925) is best remembered for a handful of virtuoso piano pieces, but he also produced a substantial body of orchestral music, most of it unperformed for a century or more. This fourth volume presents his only symphony, a strikingly assured work for a composer in his late teens. Unsurprisingly, it owes a good deal to Schumann in its dancing rhythms, heraldic bearing and orchestral colours – and the Scherzo might almost be by Mendelssohn on holiday in Poland. The ‘Six Episodes’ – charming, ingratiating and energising by turn – are all that remain of the lost full-length ballet Laurin. They were saved because Moszkowski excerpted them for concert performance, thereby creating a ‘Dance Suite’ in all but name.