Moritz MOSZKOWSKI: Orchestral Music, Volume Two
The Polish composer Moritz Moszkowski (1854–1925) is best remembered for a handful of virtuoso piano pieces, but he also produced a substantial body of orchestral music, most of it unperformed for a century or more. The first volume in this first-ever survey of his orchestral output presented the monumental ‘Symphonic Poem in Four Movements’ Johanna d’Arc – a vast symphonic fresco depicting the life, death and transfiguration of the heroine of Schiller’s 1801 play Die Jungfrau von Orleans – and drew a warm welcome from the musical press. These two big-hearted Suites continue that process of discovery, opening a treasure chest of gorgeous melody and sumptuous orchestral writing that make these forgotten gems irresistibly attractive.
Sinfonia Varsovia
Ian Hobson, conductor
First recordings
Listen To This Recording:
-
Deuxième Suite d’Orchestre, Op. 47 (1890)*
- I Preludio: Lento –
- II Fuga: Un pocchino più animato
- III Scherzo: Molto vivace
- IV Larghetto
- V Intermezzo: Allegretto con moto
- VI Marcia: Allegro con brio
- I Allegro
- II Molto moderato (La note obstinée)
- III Tempo di valse, non troppo allegro
- IV Allegro deciso
Troisième Suite d’Orchestre, Op.79 (1908)**
* FIRST RECORDING
** FIRST DIGITAL RECORDING
MusicWeb International :
Sinfonia Varsovia led by Ian Hobson, a tremendously versatile pianist and composer, capture the music with élan. The recording is clear and vibrant. As far as I can tell, the performances are ideal. They allow the music its best chance of finding an appreciative audience.’
—Gary Higginson, MusicWeb International
New York Concert Review :
‘The Sinfonia Varsovia plays beautifully under Mr. Hobson’s direction. […]
I can imagine, in a post-pandemic world, orchestral subscription audiences pleasantly settling in to hear either or both of these suites. Moszkowski has indeed found a persuasive advocate in Mr. Hobson.’
—Frank Daykin, New York Concert Review
Gramophone :
‘Ian Hobson, […] leading the Sinfonia Varsovia in performances of winning verve and character.
[…] all six [movements of the Deuxième Suite, Op 47] are blessed with Moszkowski’s unstoppable flow of melody. […]
I cannot understand why [Troisième Suite which is] tuneful, expertly crafted, undemanding score is hardly known. […] it dances along so merrily that, while some might affect a sniffy resistance, it defies you not to be its friend.’
—Jeremy Nicholas, Gramophone
The Whole Note :
‘‘…it’s hard to believe that his Deuxième Suite d’Orchestre, Op.47 (1890) is only now receiving its first-ever recording – it’s far too good to have been ignored for so long! […]
The robust playing of Sinfonia Varsovia under conductor Ian Hobson adds to this CD’s many pleasures. Here’s winning proof that there’s lots of “good-old-fashioned” music still waiting to be rediscovered and enjoyed!’
— Michael Schulman, The Whole Note
WTJU :
‘Ian Hobson and the Sinfonia Varsovia deliver sympathetic performances. […]
Mozskowski orchestrates his lyrical melodies well. […]
{In the third suite,] music has a fluidity that just pours from one theme into another. […]
These are exceptionally beautiful works. As with the first volume, the quality of the music here more than justifies this project. These are works that (in an ideal world) could easily find a wider audience.’
—Ralph Graves, WTJU
Infodad :
‘However, the earlier part of the 20th century has in recent decades been rediscovered, and it turns out that even some of its lesser lights had considerable communicative skill and produced music that deserves a far better fate than the oblivion to which history has consigned it. So now we have, from Toccata Classics, a planned four-volume series of Moszkowski’s orchestral music – and on the basis of the two volumes now available, this will be a genuine delight of a rediscovery. […]
This [seccond] suite is thoroughly satisfying on its own terms, and is surely worthy of at least occasional revival for its fine construction and its many original touches of orchestration. […]
These two very well-played recordings, in which Hobson takes the full measure of the music and Sinfonia Varsovia plays with enthusiasm and élan, […] do show him to have created very listenable music with considerable skill, […] that deserve something better than total obscurity and make it easy to look forward to the upcoming releases in this Moszkowski series.’
—Infodad