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The 6 CDs are, as one would expect from this remarkable ensemble, first-class and bear repeated listening. All are still available in more expensive editions, as I'll try and point out below. The first CD featues works from the unfamiliar Evaristo Felice Dall'Abaco (1675-1742) - 9 concertos of between 3 and 5 movements. From Verona, Dall'Abaco ended up in the Bavarian Court. His work has influences of Albinoni and Vivaldi, with a French twist. This CDs previous incarnation isDall' Abaco: Concerti /Concerto Köln · Ehrhardt, and it is also in the Das Alte Werk reissue series Dall'Abacco - Concerti Grossi, so watch out for duplication.

CD2 has the better-known Pietro Antonio Locatelli (1695-1764) and 5 of his concerto grosso works. this is a varied programme and quite delightful. Previous incarnations are here Locatelli: Concerti grossi /Concerto Köln and hereLocatelli - Concerti Grossi (the latter CD has anti-copy protection which some say affects the sound quality.

CD3 is called "Mannheim: The Golden Age" and features Cannabich, Carl Stamitz, Anton Fils, Johann Stamitz, and Ignaz Franzl, all active in the late eighteenth-century at the court of Mannheim. This is an excellent introduction to this period in musical history. The previous issue is hereMannheim - The Golden Age

CD4 featues Johann Baptist Vanhal (1739-1815), bringing us firmly into the high "Classical" era with 5 varied, but brief, symphonies.Vanhal - Symphoniesis the original Das Alte Werk release (ignore the Elatus version).

CD5 features four symphonies by the fairly obscure Leopold Kozeluch (1747-1818), a Bohemian like Stamitz. Good stuff, stepping in the heels of Mozart. Previously onKozeluch - Symphonies in an Elatus release, or Kozeluch - Symphonies the original Das Alte Werk release.

Finally, CD6 features a composer of whom I'm rather fond, Anton Eberl (1765-1807), with three of his symphonies. Eberl's claim to fame is that the audience much preferred his Symphony in E flat major when it was performed at the same concert as Beethoven's "Eroica" in April 1805. Whilst history proved the Vienna concertgoers wrong in their judgement, Eberl does not deserve his near complete obscurity today, and this CD will let you hear why. Originally on Eberl - Symphonies, I have another CD on the Christophorus label featuring some of Eberl's trio works, which is very nice Piano Trios (Pleyel Trio St. Petersburg). If you enjoy later Mozart and, especially, early Beethoven, Eberl is very much worth hearing.

In summary, an inexpensive, not too large, box set featuring lovely music for far less money than the original issues; highly recommended!


Veel luisterplezier..