Search - Carl Czerny, Nikos Athinaos :: Czerny: Symphonies 1 & 5

Czerny - "in the serious style"

06/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After he had finished his gargantuan output of 779 opus numbers including the "School of Velocity" and his "Complete Theoretical & Practical Pianoforte School" Opus 500, Carl Czerny, pupil of Beethoven and teacher of Liszt, finally placed on one of his four composing desks the Symphony #1 in C minor, Opus 780. On the first listening of this symphony one can easily hear Beethoven's profound influence on Czerny's own personal style. While his orchestrations are decidedly thick and masculine, this symphony is full of color and highly inventive melody. Scored in the heavy, stern key of C minor the composer weaves his way through from the first movement's deep pathos, the second's tuneful melody, the third's devious quality, to the fourth's vigorous and effective finale with an abundantly rich tone and sonority so common to middle period Romanticism. His Symphony #5 in E flat Major shows us his masterful writing in a more traditional symphonic style. His themes in the first movement are vivacious yet broad. The second is lyrical in a high Romantic vein. The third is lively with a driving momentum. The fourth is triumphant to the point of nearly becoming a military tableau. All things considered, he may not be as well known as Beethoven or Schumann or Mendelssohn (all contemporaries), but there is no valid reason for neglect. These symphonies show an accomplished and popular composer at the height of his powers and are well worth adding to your music collection."

Czerny: the forgotten master.

Rembrandt Q. Einstein | NY | 12/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is tragic that (with the exception of his piano studies) posterity has decided to overlook Carl Czerny. His compositional output was staggering, with over 1000 known published works. Of this output only about 15% were his piano studies. Czerny is known to have written at least 6 symphonies, numerous concertos, chamber music, a ballet, and religious music. On this CD we here Czerny at his finest, particularly the first symphony, with its bold thunderous opening. It is similar to Beethoven, but it is by no means a mere imitation. Czerny does have a unique sound, and it is one worth hearing on this CD. The sound and recording quality are excellent, and you should not hesitate at all in purchasing this. You will not regret it."

Czerny - "in the serious style"

Rembrandt Q. Einstein | 06/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After he had finished his gagantuan outout of 779 opus numbers including the "School of Velocity" and his "Complete Theoretical & Practical Pianoforte School" Opus 500, Carl Czerny, pupil of Beethoven and teacher of Liszt, finally placed on one of his four composing desks the Symphony #1 in C minor, Opus 780. On the first listening of this symphony one can easily hear Beethoven's profound influence on Czerny's own personal style. While his orchestrations are decidedly thick and masculine, this symphony is full of color and highly inventive melody. Scored in the heavy, stern key of C minor the composer weaves his way through from the first movement's deep pathos, the second's tuneful melody, the third's devious quality, to the fourth's vigorous and effective finale with an abundantly rich tone and sonority so common to middle period Romanticism. His Symphony #5 in E flat Major shows us his masterful writing in a more traditional symphonic style. His Themes in the first movement are vivacious yet broad. The second is lyrical in the high Romantic vein. The third is lively with a driving momentum. The fourth is triumphant to the point of nearly becoming a military tableau. All things considered, he may not be as well known as Beethoven or Schumann or Mendelssohn (all contemporaries), but there is no valid reason for neglect. These symphonies show an accomplished and popular composer at the height of his powers and are well worth adding to your music collection."