Josef Mysliveček: Music for Strings, Volume One
Josef Mysliveček (1737–81) – born in Prague, based in Italy – was one of the chief architects of the 'high’ Classical style that emerged in Europe around 1770, and one of the most important musical influences on the young Mozart. The works on this CD, composed in the mid-1760s, were published to be performed as string symphonies, as here, or as quintets for two violins, two violas and cello, the earliest such works ever to appear in print. Their grace, passion and tenderness help explain why Mozart so admired Mysliveček’s operas and instrumental music.
Uralsk Philharmonic Orchestra, orchestra
Gary Brain, conductor
Listen To This Recording:
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Sinfonia Concertante, Op. 2 No. 6, in C major, F6 (1765)
- Larghetto
- Allegro
- Presto
- Allegro
- Andante
- Menuetto
- Allegro
- Andante
- Presto
- Allegro
- Andante
- Allegro
- Allegro
- Andante
- Presto
- Allegro
- Andante
- Presto
Sinfonia Concertante, Op. 2 No. 1, in B flat major, F1 (1765)
Sinfonia Concertante, Op. 2 No. 2, in E major, F2 (1765)
Sinfonia Concertante, Op. 2 No. 5, in D major, F5 (1765)
Sinfonia Concertante, Op. 2 No. 3, in G major, F3 (1765)
Sinfonia Concertante, Op. 2 No. 4, in A major, F4 (1765)
SoundStage! Network :
‘The six brief string symphonies by Josef Myslivecek, “il divino boemo,” so admired by Mozart and his contemporaries, are works of real substance that would grace any concert season, and the orchestra in Kazakhstan may counter the foolish impression of that country created by that irritatingly popular movie.’
—Richard Freed, SoundStage! Network
Music & Vision :
‘It is interesting to hear this set of six Sinfonie Concertanti Op 2, each being three movement works, and each exploring for the first time the full potential of the string quintet. Clearly they are imaginative, as the Minuet from the 1st Concerto in B flat and inventive too, as in the lively finale of No 6 in C.’
—Patric Standford, Music & Vision