Search - Paul Wranitzky, Bohumil Gregor, Dvorák Chamber Orchestra :: Pavel Vranický: Symphonies in D major, in C minor

A find for lovers of the Classical Style

John Parker Marmaro | Spring Hill, Florida | 07/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"During the Romantic period, apart from Beethoven, misperceived as a Romantic composer, and a few works of Mozart, even more thoroughly misconstrued, the High Classical period composers were almost totally neglected. During the 20th Century, we finally came to recognize Mozart for the giant he was, and Haydn as a peer of Mozart. But though the Great Triumvirate of Classicism is unimpeachably the pinnacle of the era, there were many other remarkable composers-- excellent ones--- who were nearly forgotten. The advent of CDs, and the reappreciation of tonalism, are changing that. Among the many fine composers being rediscovered, many are Bohemian (Czechs)-- Krommer, Vorisek, Kuhlau, Tomaschek, Dussek, --- and the Vranicky brothers, Pavel the elder, and Antonin. Both are fine composers, Pavel particularly. He was born around the same time as Mozart, and died around the same time as Haydn. The two symphonies here recorded are excellent works, not mere ciphers, but inventive and interesting, with a wonderful orchestral palette., and beautifully performed and recorded. Highly recommended as an intro to this marvelous and still too-little-known composer."