'Beethoven's World' vol.3: Voříšek, Hummel & Salieri

[Alan Howe]

'Beethoven's World' vol.3 containing Voříšek's Symphony in D, Hummel's Double Concerto for Violin & Piano in G and Salieri's 26 Variations on 'La folia di Spagna' is announced for release on 29th May:
https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/anton-eberl-symphonie-nr-4-d-moll-op-34/hnum/9629789

It seems from the url/web address that Eberl's 4th Symphony was originally intended for this release, as we thought.

[Joachim Raff]

Interesting release and has to be commended. Not sure if i will be purchasing as i have Thomas Hengelbrock's superb rendition somewhere in my collection. Without a doubt, anyone who has not a copy of Voříšek's Symphony is missing out. Marvellous comes to mind!

[Joachim Raff]

Richard Wigmore (Gramophone) wrote a favourable review in September's mag. Not that i generally agree with critics/reviewer, but i have to with this disc. Vorisek is the highlight. Goebel and his band bring a flamboyant display to proceedings. The sound is forward, detailed and supremely well balanced. The scherzo and finale never sounded so upbeat and exciting. Worth a purchase if you do not have these works. Probably the best release in this Beethoven's World cycle to date.   

[Alan Howe]

It's on my radar. Thanks for the reminder. What did you think of the Salieri?

[Joachim Raff]

The Salleri is a light experimental type piece. A Forrest Gump piece. You never know whats coming next , its always a surprise. Totally original and so charming. The strings with a timpani seem a bit heavy at times but have impact value. I love the harp interjections which are very quirky. Its totally up my street. I love this light music, you never get bored.
I would buy the disc for this alone. Its like an overture to the rest of the disc. The performances are top notch.

[Alan Howe]

Thanks for that assessment. Mouthwatering!

[redieze]

Sir Charles Mackerras recorded the Vorisek Sy (+Arriaga one)for Hyperion !

[Alan Howe]

Yes, you're right. But it's the coupling here that's of interest, as well as Goebel's take on the Voříšek.

[Alan Howe]

...and Goebel's performance of Voříšek's Symphony in D of 1823 is breathtaking - HIP, but not ideologically so, and superbly played by the WDR Symphony Orchestra of Cologne. I'd say it's the finest ever recorded, raising the status of the work to a whole new level.

Incidentally, Schubert's Unfinished was written at roughly the same time. Interesting.

[hyperdanny]

I concur wholeheartedly with Alan: I could never quite "love" the Vorisek until this recording, which is just perfect. In this series I find that Goebel has really struck a perfect compromise between (non-dogmatic) period practice and the bigger sound of a modern orchestra. The best of both worlds.

[Alan Howe]

Spot-on. Very well put!

[britishcomposer]

Dear members,
You may be interested to know that mdr kultur will live broadcast a performance of the Vorisek symphony this evening. The conductor will be no less than Herbert Blomstedt!
https://www.mdr.de/kultur/radio/ipg/sendung-592198_days-true_ipgctx-true_zc-f9c202c7.html

[Mark Thomas]

I haven't listened to Vorisek's Symphony for years. There was a time maybe 20 years ago when it was played (or at least broadcast) quite frequently, but those days are long past. Back then I felt that it didn't warrant the exposure it was getting, but I have to agree with what others here have written - Goebel's performance is terrific, investing the work with an energy and stature which I'm sure I never suspected before. What a revelation.

[Alan Howe]

It just shows what can be achieved when HIP practices are pursued in a non-doctrinaire manner.

[hyperdanny]

About the Salieri: maybe you know it already, but the WDR put a video (live performance) of it on YT, and it's lovely: the passion and concentration of the Cologne musicians are a joy to see, and Goebel is clearly enjoying himself.
Actually, this series had me totally reassess Reinhard Goebel; to me he was one the High Priests of the German HIP, a little too "old guard" and strict for my taste...and here we have a guy who masters with authority and above all expressivity the Big Band and the Early Romantics in a way that failed many others who tried this jump. It's very nice to be surprised in this way!