Even when the Symphony No. 1 debuted in 1831, it was considered old fashioned. Although it was well received, audiences that same year were also...

Even when the Symphony No. 1 debuted in 1831, it was considered old fashioned. Although it was well received, audiences that same year were also exposed to Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Old fashioned or not, Onslow’s first symphony was performed throughout Europe to generally high acclaim. There were some dissenters who felt Onslow’s themes would have been better served in chamber works using fewer musicians (Symphony No. 3 actually began as a string quintet), but other people felt Onslow moved the symphony in a new direction and his works should not be compared to the symphonies of other composers. Onslow’s symphonies are classical in structure: four movements, not straying too far from the Classical notions of harmony; however they embrace the burgeoning Romanticism of the time. Onslow’s symphonies may not be as adventurous as Symphonie fantastique or Beethoven’s Ninth, but they’re well crafted, abundantly tuneful, and often quite atmospheric and imaginative.

Onslow’s Third Symphony, composed shortly after the success of the first two, began as a string quintet (in F Minor, op. 32.) It was expanded to a version for string orchestra, to be performed by the Société des Concerts. Hearing his quintet played by large forces during a rehearsal, Onslow envisioned the work as a symphony. He withdrew the work and it later emerged as Symphony No. 3 in F Minor.

Onslow limited his symphonic output to just four, composed between 1829 and 1846. The French at that time were more interested in opera (Onslow’s operas were not as well received as his sonatas and chamber music), so much of the significant symphony composition came from German composers. Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms, and Schubert dominated the field. Onslow was referred to as the French Beethoven. Although it was meant as a compliment, the unintended consequence was the untrue suggestion that he strove to imitate Beethoven.

Johannes Goritzki and the Radio-Philharmonie Hannover des NDR have now completed their traversal of the four Onslow symphonies with this release of Nos. 1 and 3. The second and fourth symphonies were released in 1999 (cpo 999 738-2). If you enjoyed that earlier album, your pleasures will increase by the addition of this later one. The performances continue that bright, energetic thrust they brought to the even-numbered symphonies. Cpo has captured these performances in a warm, clear ambience.

David L. Kirk, FANFARE