I've now listened (but once) to the Andreae symphony on the new Guild disc.
First impression: wow! It is a 4 movement work (played without a break) lasting just short of 30 minutes. It dates from 1919 (thus composed when Andreae was 40 and already an admired and experienced conductor in Zurich).
My initial impression is of a masterly work. It seems superbly orchestrated, and has a firm seamless development. The 2nd movement is a profoundly moving funeral march, and after an energetic Allegro molto 3rd movement, the symphony progresses to a magnificent final movement and a compelling conclusion.
Apologies - sub-inferior musical analysis operating here! But first reaction is to share my experience rather than further dissect the work.
The disc is generously filled with three other orchestral works by Andreae. Not sure about the 'origins' of the recordings. But interestingly we have a Swiss label using the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (as far as I recall label and orchestra are meeting up for the first time). All works conducted by the composer's grandson, Marc Andreae. Recordings took place in the Lighthouse, Poole, Dorset - familiar from many other Bournemouth SO recordings.
Whao, hats off to all concerned! And fingers are tightly crossed that these same forces will soon give us Andreae's Violin Concerto - written in 1936 for Adolf Busch. There's much about the work in the magnificent two volume Tully Potter book on Busch, but there are (to my knowledge) no commercial recordings.
I remind all that I heartily recommend the three Guild discs of Andreae's chamber music. Lovely!
This is the first recording of the Symphony...and thus the pool of unsung works diminishes by one (but still a hell of a way to go yet!)
Apologies for the excited, breathless gabble!
