Search - Johann Baptist Vanhal, Uwe Grodd, Budapest Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia :: Vanhal: Symphonies Vol.1

Inventive, well-crafted 18th Century Symphonies

Patrick A Daley | Fredericton, New Brunswick | 09/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many years ago, I bought an LP entitled, "The Legacy of the Mannheim School," with Karl Ristenpart and the Chamber Orchestra of the Sarre (Saar), Turnabout H-71014. One of the three symphonies was a nice little one in A Major by one J. B. Wanhal, of whom I knew nothing. As old Edward Tatnall Canby said on the notes on the record jacket, "This man, one says immediately, is a real composer." So, from time to time, I have wondered if there were more recordings of his works.Well, Vanhal, Symphonies, Vol. 1, is certainly worth waiting for. These little symphonies are wonderful and inventive. As Paul Bryan, the scholar who has assigned catalogue numbers to his works, the best of them compare with some of the Haydn symphonies, notably Sinfonia in D Major, Bryan D17. The first movment of D17 starts out with a beautiful, somewhat haunting Andante molto, which moves into an Allegro moderato after about 2.5 minutes. The second movement, Adagio molto, consists of an obstinately memorable melody for oboe solo, accompanied by plucked lower strings. The anonymous oboeist plays it beautifully with no affectation. This movement is certainly the star of a very nice disc. The Allegro finale is lively and inventive.Like his younger and shorter lived contemporary, J. M. Kraus, whose symphonies are also recorded on Naxos, Vanhal was an excellent craftsman and very inventive. It is no wonder his works were popular. I have never felt that one should listen only to the very greatest composers, such as Haydn and Mozart. One cannot listen to profundity all the time. Vanhal and Kraus have much to offer, and composed many fine worke which Haydn and Mozart never got around to writing. These works cover some span of Vanhal's career, but all are very much worth hearing. The slow second movement of Symphony in C Comista, Bryan C11, Andante cantabile, is pensive, sad and very beautifully written an played. As I was writing I was playing it, and felt I had to remark on it. The playing of the Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia under Uwe Grodd is exemplary, reflecting the different moods of the music. The recording is exceedingly beautiful, with extended and very smooth highs. Let no one tell you digital can't do the highs well! This is one of the finest Naxos recordings, and in recent years they have generally kept to a very high standard."

Great Unknown Works

CJV | Illinois | 02/24/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Purchased this CD along with Vol. 2 & 3 Johann Baptist Vanhal: Symphonies, Vol. 2 Vanhal: Symphonies, Vol. 3 and his String Quartets by the Kubin Quartet Jan Krtitel Vanhal: String Quartets. Vanhal, a bohemian or a czech by today's standards, was a contemporary of Dittersdorf, Mozart & Haydn. His music is inventive and was liked by the aforementioned composers. He accompanied them on a couple occasions to play String Quartets. What a line up Haydn, Dittersdorf, Mozart, & Vanhal. Back to the CDs they are well worth the purchase. The performances and recordings are excellent and recommmend them to anyone who enjoys 18th century European music. Bravo...Vanhal... and I thought Haydn was/is underplayed."