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Beck: Symphonies Op 4 No 1-3... / Stilec
Naxos

Beck: Symphonies Op 4 No 1-3... / Stilec

$19.99

Details

Composer
BECK, FRANZ IGNAZ
Artist
Stilec
Format
CD
Label
Naxos
Released
Oct 14, 2014
Catalog #
8573248
UPC
747313324873

About

As the excellently written notes to this release point out, Beck probably would be far more highly regarded today had he not give up symphonic composition in the mid 1760s, turning his attention instead to that black hole of musical ambition: opera. The three works that constitute his Op. 4 (and the six of Op. 3) are quite wonderful, full of imaginative ideas, shapely forms, and effective orchestration. Consider the finale of Op. 4 No. 3, with its unusual harmonic scheme, tricky rhythm, and dynamic contrasts. It was the ability to make his music interesting by characterizing multiple parameters simultaneously that gives Beck’s symphonies their special kick, and allows them to be compared favorably to middle-period Haydn.

The principal competition for this release comes from CPO, and its set of Op. 3/4 played by La Stagione Frankfurt. Those performances employ period instruments, and these do not, but they are every bit as good. The strings play with appropriate rhythmic verve and (typically) smoother timbre, while the harpsichord continuo remains happily where it belongs–in the background. The oboes have a sweet tone characteristic of the Czech school of woodwind playing, and the horns blend well with them. Czech horn playing tends to be softer and more mellow in sonority then most modern schools, and I have to wonder if this is not in fact more “authentic” than the brassy, brazen tone typical of so many period instrument groups.

Whatever the reality, conductor Marek Stilec leads with well-jedged tempos and brings plenty of life to the music–energy without crudeness. This release will give a great deal of pleasure to anyone interested in the best symphonic works of the early classical period.

-- David HurwitzClassicsToday.com

Tracklist 15 tracks

  1. 1 I. Allegro maestoso 06:46
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Allegro maestoso
    Duration
    06:46
    Composer
    Franz Ignaz Beck
    Ensemble
    Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice
    Conductor
    Marek Štilec
  2. 2 II. Andante 04:58
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Andante
    Duration
    04:58
    Composer
    Franz Ignaz Beck
    Ensemble
    Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice
    Conductor
    Marek Štilec
  3. 3 III. Minuetto I-II 02:53
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Minuetto I-II
    Duration
    02:53
    Composer
    Franz Ignaz Beck
    Ensemble
    Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice
    Conductor
    Marek Štilec
  4. 4 IV. Presto assai 05:16
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Presto assai
    Duration
    05:16
    Composer
    Franz Ignaz Beck
    Ensemble
    Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice
    Conductor
    Marek Štilec
  5. 5 I. Allegro moderato 05:57
    Track
    5
    Title
    I. Allegro moderato
    Duration
    05:57
    Composer
    Franz Ignaz Beck
    Ensemble
    Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice
    Conductor
    Marek Štilec
  6. 6 II. Andantino un poco allegro 05:58
    Track
    6
    Title
    II. Andantino un poco allegro
    Duration
    05:58
    Composer
    Franz Ignaz Beck
    Ensemble
    Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice
    Conductor
    Marek Štilec
  7. 7 III. Minuetto I-II 02:40
    Track
    7
    Title
    III. Minuetto I-II
    Duration
    02:40
    Composer
    Franz Ignaz Beck
    Ensemble
    Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice
    Conductor
    Marek Štilec
  8. 8 IV. Presto 04:43
    Track
    8
    Title
    IV. Presto
    Duration
    04:43
    Composer
    Franz Ignaz Beck
    Ensemble
    Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice
    Conductor
    Marek Štilec
  9. 9 I. Allegro ma non troppo 05:54
    Track
    9
    Title
    I. Allegro ma non troppo
    Duration
    05:54
    Composer
    Franz Ignaz Beck
    Ensemble
    Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice
    Conductor
    Marek Štilec
  10. 10 II. Andante arioso 06:25
    Track
    10
    Title
    II. Andante arioso
    Duration
    06:25
    Composer
    Franz Ignaz Beck
    Ensemble
    Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice
    Conductor
    Marek Štilec
  11. 11 III. Minuetto vilanesco 03:15
    Track
    11
    Title
    III. Minuetto vilanesco
    Duration
    03:15
    Composer
    Franz Ignaz Beck
    Ensemble
    Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice
    Conductor
    Marek Štilec
  12. 12 IV. Presto ma non troppo 04:39
    Track
    12
    Title
    IV. Presto ma non troppo
    Duration
    04:39
    Composer
    Franz Ignaz Beck
    Ensemble
    Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice
    Conductor
    Marek Štilec
  13. 13 I. Allegro con spirito 05:48
    Track
    13
    Title
    I. Allegro con spirito
    Duration
    05:48
    Composer
    Franz Ignaz Beck
    Ensemble
    Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice
    Conductor
    Marek Štilec
  14. 14 II. Andante un poco adagio 04:59
    Track
    14
    Title
    II. Andante un poco adagio
    Duration
    04:59
    Composer
    Franz Ignaz Beck
    Ensemble
    Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice
    Conductor
    Marek Štilec
  15. 15 III. Presto 04:35
    Track
    15
    Title
    III. Presto
    Duration
    04:35
    Composer
    Franz Ignaz Beck
    Ensemble
    Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice
    Conductor
    Marek Štilec