Credits:

Howard Griffiths, Swiss Italian Radio Orchestra

Description:

Born in Bohemia in 1759, Franz Krommer (Hungarian name: František Kramáš) was a composer active in Hungary and served for a time at the court in Vienna, but returned to Hungary to become the church music director of Pécs Cathedral for 20 years. In his later years, he was appointed director of the theater in Vienna, and in 1818 he was awarded the title of composer-in-residence of the Imperial Household, making him a fully established Viennese composer. Despite such fame, his works were overshadowed by Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven, and even his existence itself was forgotten. Many people may have rediscovered the appeal of Kronmer's works in the first symphony cycle conducted by Griffiths. The second collection includes three of Cronmer's most successful symphonies: the dramatic No. 4, the festive No. 5, and the equally dramatic No. 7. All are highly listenable works full of fresh charm. Naxos Japan