Search - Gouvy, Mercier, Deutsche Radio Phil :: Theodore Gouvy: Symphonies 3 & 5

Pleasant 19th Century "Elevator" Music

Kenneth Gilman | Miami Fla | 06/30/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Mid 19th century symphonies in the style of Mendelssohn, Schumann, Gade, etc, but not nearly as good. A mix of French & German elements, nice, pleasant melodies but with dull orchestration. Gouvy obviously had talent, but didn't have the kind of training that would have made him better. A gifted, essentially amateur composer, writing for the conservative Leipzig audience of his time."

Recommended Romanticist

Cornelius | Michigan | 08/26/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Gouvy isn't a lot of composers, and will suffer when compared to famous romantic-era artists.

But his obviously French-flavored symphonies are enjoyable in their own right.

Certainly there are works by Gounod and Saint-Saens that are lesser accomplishments than these symphonies.

They well repay an open-minded listening.

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