Rosetti: Oboe Concertos; Symphonies / Moesus, Meier, Zurich Chamber Orchestra

$18.99
Label
CPO
Release Date
June 28, 2011
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      ROSETTI, ANTONIO
    • PERFORMER
      Meier, Zuercher Kammerorchester, Moesus
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      June 28, 2011
    • UPC
      761203763122
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      777631-2
    • LABEL
      CPO
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      1
    • GENRE
      Orchestral & Symphonic



ROSETTI Oboe Concertos: in C; in C. Symphonies: in F; in D • Kurt Meier (ob); Johannes Moesus (cond); Zurich CO • CPO 777-631-2 (71:16)


Quite apart from the fact that he’s virtually forgotten, the composer of record has a problem. According to the Harvard Biographical Dictionary , “He has been confused with Franz Anton Rössler, a cobbler, and five other musicians named Antonio Rosetti.” That’s severe! It may be that he should have stuck with his given name, Franti?ek Antonín Rössler, except that the Italianization worked for him during his very active lifetime. Rössler/Rosetti was born in Litom??ice, Bohemia, in 1750, played double bass in the orchestra of the Wallerstein court, eventually becoming court conductor and Kapellmeister. He composed prolifically—as many as 40 symphonies and 50 solo concertos as well as various sacred works. In 1789 he became Kapellmeister at the court of Ludwigslust, where he died at age 42 in 1792. He was highly regarded by his contemporaries, and in 1791 wrote and conducted a Requiem for Mozart at Prague. The present disc makes a strong case for re-examining his legacy. The two symphonies, both set in three movements, are early works, but they attest to his skill in handling of the orchestra and his ability to craft memorable lines. The F-Major Symphony, composed around 1776–77, was one of his most popular works. The concertos are even more impressive. Kurt Meier is an effective advocate, with a rich, full tone and a flawless technique. Rosetti wrote many concertos for members of his orchestra, especially for horns or bassoons, but also, of course, for the oboe. I reviewed a cpo disc of three other Rosetti oboe concertos played by Lajos Lenscés in Fanfare 15:2. All five could be welcome additions to any soloist’s repertory. Two discs of Rosetti’s more mature symphonies—by Concerto Köln on Teldec and Mathias Bamert on Chandos—are worth seeking out, as well. There are four symphonies on each disc, with, remarkably, no duplications. Meanwhile, the present disc gives me great pleasure, and I recommend it heartily.


FANFARE: George Chien