Joseph Martin Kraus Petter Sundkvist Swedish Chamber Orchestra - Kraus Symphonies Vol 1 (10 tracks) +Album Reviews

NOT the Swedish Mozart

Lars Johansson | Sweden | 06/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Joseph Martin Kraus is a composer probably known to few people. He was born the same year as Mozart, 1756 and died one year after him, in 1792. He has been called the Swedish Mozart but that really is not a good name. In fact, he is more like Haydn of the Sturm-und-Drang period or maybe C. Ph. E. Bach. He was born in Germany but was lured to Sweden by King Gustavus III, a famous patron of the arts. (And the king who gets killed in Verdi's Un ballo in maschera!)He sent him travelling all over Europe where, in Vienna, he met Haydn who rated his symphonies very highly, indeed. As well he might. This is great music with a lot of passion, fine melodies and a sort of abruptness in the writing which is very exciting. You never know excatly in which direction the composer is going to take off next! The performances are just fine with a crack Swedish chamber orchestra and a young Swedish conductor who obviously cares a great deal about the music. If you thought you had listened to all the symphonies worth hearing, this is a CD for you. Just one word of warning: Kraus is highly addictive and will leave you wanting more!"

Wow

Joshua Grasso | Oxford, OH USA | 12/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fantastic cd--great music played with incredible fire and committment. I have a few discs by the Swedish Chamber Orchestra under Sundkvist, and they all sound the same--amazing! Whether they're playing works by Larson or Ransgtrom, or the much earlier work of Kraus, they always find the perfect balance of technique and inspiration. The excellent recording on Naxos doesn't hurt matters, either.

Kraus is a revelation to me...a truly "unknown" first rate composer--and from the Classical Era! His work easily rates with Haydn and Mozart, though he might not have a Jupiter Symphony or a series of London Symphonies. Nevertheless, his achivement is truly remarkable. From the brooding Olympie overture, to the sublime Symphony in C Minor, this is the work of a master. Everything crackles with energy, excites goosebumps, and repays repeated listening.

I also heartily recommend the other works in the series, Volume 2 and 3 (I haven't purchased Volume 4 yet). They are in no way a letdown, and in many ways, show other facets of his incredible talent. On Volume 3, you can hear an early version of the C Minor symphony, his very different Symphony in C-sharp minor. Both great works--and both add sparkle to any collection.

This is one of the few works I've bought in the past few years that really knocked my socks off. Not surprisingly, it's from Naxos."

A Buried Treasure!

Southern Gal | 03/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"About two weeks ago, I was working at home and listening to the TV cable classical station. After a few minutes of hearing this music, I dropped everything. I had to find out who this composer was. I had never even heard of Joseph Martin Kraus and I listen to a lot of classical. Where has he been? The music is wonderful. I don't understand why he isn't up there with the rest of the Classical elite. I ordered all four CD's in this series and I am delighted with every one. Wonderful, interesting, creative melodies and excellent orchestration by the Swedish Chamber Orchestra. Joseph Martin Kraus is a very gifted composer. Haydn is reported to have called him a genius. Though I have no musical talent or skill myself, I would have to say Haydn is right on. Sadly, Joseph Martin Kraus died at 36. Who knows what other beautiful music he could have left for us? Very, very highly recommended!"

Glorious Music, Rich Orchestration, Lush Melody, Sheer Excit

Leslie Richford | Selsingen, Lower Saxony | 04/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Joseph Martin Kraus (1756 - 1792): Olympie Overture; 3 Symphonies. Performed by the Swedish Chamber Orchestra (on modern instruments), dir. by Petter Sundkvist. Recorded from 9 to 11 May, 1996, at the Concert Hall in Örebro, Sweden. First issued in 1997 as Naxos 8.553734 (LC 5537). Total playing time: 62'26".

The young German composer Joseph Martin Kraus had an idol: Christoph Willibald Gluck. And although he doesn't quote Gluck note for note, there are obvious similarities to Gluck's theatre music to be heard here - which is an enormous compliment to Kraus! Somebody has said this music can get you addicted - and I am finding that true right now, having listened over and over to this since receiving the CD. The "Olympie" overture is a superbly dramatic piece that almost (but not quite) reaches the level of Beethoven's overtures. And the three symphonies are absolutely glorious in their rich orchestration, their lush melodies and their sheer musical excitement. No wonder that both Gluck himself and Joseph Haydn praised Kraus in no uncertain terms!

And no wonder that this CD was nominated for a "Cannes Classical Award" (precursor of the current MIDEM Classical Awards) in 1999. The Swedish Chamber Orchestra plays this music in such fine style that, for the first time in 18th century music, I didn't really miss period instruments - I am sure that conductor Petter Sundkvist made himself familiar with 18th century conventions before recording this music, it all sounds worthy of any period-instrument orchestra, despite the differences in sound with the modern oboes and the slightly jangly harpsichord. Naxos's engineer has done a fine job, too, capturing all this in a wide and convincing stereo panorama with only the smallest remnant of the "cavernous" sound that Naxos was known for in the years previous to this. This is superb - I have already mailed my local classical radio station to request a piece! And I have a feeling that I will come back to Kraus again and again in the future!"

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	Joseph Martin Kraus, Petter Sundkvist, Swedish Chamber Orchestra Kraus: Symphonies Vol. 1 Genre: Classical Track Listings (10) - Disc #1 Olympie Overture, VB 29 I Allegro II Larghetto III Allegro I Andante Di Molto - Allegro II Un Poco Andante III Allegro I Larghetto - Allegro - J.M. KRAUS II Andante III Allegro Assai
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