Berwald: Symphonies and Overtures

1. Estrella de Soria, opera: overture
Composed by Franz Berwald
Performed by Swedish Radio Orchestra Conducted by Roy Goodman

2. Symphony No. 3 in C, "Sinfonie Singulière"
Composed by Franz Berwald
Performed by Swedish Radio Orchestra Conducted by Roy Goodman

3. Drottningen Av Golconda, opera Overture
Composed by Franz Berwald
Performed by Swedish Radio Orchestra Conducted by Roy Goodman

4. Symphony No. 2 in D, "Sinfonie Capricieuse"
Composed by Franz Berwald
Performed by Swedish Radio Orchestra Conducted by Roy Goodman

5. Symphony in A (incomplete)
Composed by Franz Berwald
Performed by Swedish Radio Orchestra Conducted by Roy Goodman

6. Symphony No. 1 in G minor, "Sérieuse"
Composed by Franz Berwald
Performed by Swedish Radio Orchestra Conducted by Roy Goodman

7. Symphony No. 4 in E flat, "Sinfonie Naïve"
Composed by Franz Berwald
Performed by Swedish Radio Orchestra Conducted by Roy Goodman

Customer Reviews:

Spectacular.......2005-11-24

Franz Berwald was one of those amazing people who crammed enough into his life for any 5 more energetic types. The man was a highly-trained and enormously gifted musician who founded an orthopedic clinic while he was pursuing his musical career in Berlin. He developed physical rehab techniques still in use today. He was a fiery advocate of progressive social causes at a time when that kind of thing was seen as treasonous by more than a few more solid citizens...and, Berwald was a monster talent as a composer.

There's nothing easy about writing genuinely original music at any time. But Berwald lived the same time as Schubert, Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Schumann. Yet, he managed to write completely original music.

His symphonies are miracles of originality, concision, melodic beauty, structural sophistication and sly wit. The fact that they are so neglected by conductors and orchestras is nothing short of scandalous. Berwald's work should be right up there with Schumann and Mendelssohn. At the very least. You could make a case that his symphonies, at their best, surpass Schumann for originality, and exceed Mendelssohn in their generosity of spirit.

The symphonies are not only beautifully made throughout, they're full of magical moments that you'll have to hear more than once, right on the spot. They're full of those "wait-a-second-that-was-gorgeous-I-have-to-hear-that-again" moments. Just as one example, the quiet end of the first movement of Symphony #4 is an utter stroke of genius. I probably listened to it a half-dozen times the first time I heard the piece.

This recording of Berwald's symphonies is definitive. The technical quality is ideal. Nice ambiance, but nothing is lost in the wash. All the power and delicacy of the music and the playing is preserved. Tony Faulkner engineered, and the man has never made an ordinary recording in his life. The orchestra plays with wonderful precision and panache, and Roy Goodman clearly gets this music in every detail.

In short, this is another spectacular accomplishment from Hyperion, and you should buy it right now, before it goes out of print.

Franz Berwald was among the greatest geniuses music has ever produced, and this recording proves it, beyond any shadow of a doubt. You'll love it.

Average customer rating:

Berwald: Symphonies and Overtures

Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000300O
Release Date: 1996-03-11

Tracks:

Estrella de Soria (1841): Overture
Sinfonie Singuliere (Symphony No 3 In C Major, 1845): Allegro fuocoso
Sinfonie Singuliere (Symphony No 3 In C Major, 1845): Adagio
Sinfonie Singuliere (Symphony No 3 In C Major, 1845): Finale. Presto
The Queen Of Golconda, 1864: Overture
Sinfonie Capricieuse (Symphony No 2 In D Major, 1842): Allegro
Sinfonie Capricieuse (Symphony No 2 In D Major, 1842): Andante
Sinfonie Capricieuse (Symphony No 2 In D Major, 1842): Finale. Allegro assai

Tracks:

Symphony In A Major: Symphony In A Major (Fragment, 1820)
Sinfonie Serieuse (Symphony No 1 In G Minor, 1842): Allegro con energia
Sinfonie Serieuse (Symphony No 1 In G Minor, 1842): Adagio maestoso
Sinfonie Serieuse (Symphony No 1 In G Minor, 1842): Stretto
Sinfonie Serieuse (Symphony No 1 In G Minor, 1842): Finale. Adagio - Allegro molto
Symphony No 4 In E Flat Major ('Sinfonie naive', 1845): Allegro risoluto
Symphony No 4 In E Flat Major ('Sinfonie naive', 1845): Adagio
Symphony No 4 In E Flat Major ('Sinfonie naive', 1845): Scherzo. Allegro molto
Symphony No 4 In E Flat Major ('Sinfonie naive', 1845): Finale. Allegro vivace

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