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
MusicWeb International :
‘The Second Suite was composed in 1890 and is cast in six movements. Moszkowski proves an expert orchestrator throughout – not for nothing did Messager send his young pupil, Thomas Beecham, to Moszkowski for advice in the art – and you can be assured of plenty of colour and spice. […]
It’s nearly a century since his death in 1925 – he died in destitution – and this series, affectionately played and directed, is doing much to bring his charming, uncomplicated orchestral music to wider notice.’
—Jonathan Woolf, MusicWeb International
Fanfare :
‘Words cannot convey how much I enjoyed these suites by Moszkowski. This is music I will listen to again and again, and I know you will too. Hobson and the Sinfonia Varsovia’s players are terrific and so is Toccata’s recording.’
—Fanfare
Pizzicato :
‘Both suites contain many beautiful melodies and are brimming with charming ideas. The Sinfonia Varsovia’s perfomance is brilliant and transparent, as well as subtly refined. This elegant music-making has verve and an enormous presence, which is further enhanced by the well-balanced sound.’
—Pizzicato
Klassisk Musikk :
‘Jeg hadde ikke tenkt å skrive om denne platen med Moritz Moszkowskis (1854-1925) Suite nr. to og tre, men den en så god at jeg ikke kunne la den passere. Begge suitene er herlig melodiøse. Vakkert orkestrert og tempoplassert med sikker hånd – til tross for at begge er svært fri i formen. […]
Fremførelsen av begge suitene med Sinfonia Varsovia er også førsteklasses; de polske musikerne gir sitt beste i sin landsmanns musikk. Ian Hobson, kjent fra andre Toccata Classics-plater med tidlig Martinů (og som pianist i musikk av Harold Truscott), dirigerer med autoritet. Virkelig en plate å glede seg over.’
English translation:
‘I didn’t intend to write about this disc of Moritz Moszkowski’s (1854-1925) Suites No. 2 and 3, but it’s so good that I couldn’t pass it up. Both suites are delightfully melodious. Beautifully orchestrated and tempo-wise with a sure hand – despite both being very free in form. […]
The performance of both suites by Sinfonia Varsovia is also first-class; the Polish musicians give their best in their countryman’s music. Ian Hobson, known from other Toccata Classics discs of early Martinů (and as a pianist in music by Harold Truscott), conducts with authority. Truly a disc to be enjoyed.’
—Guy Rickards, Klassisk Musikk