Notes and Editorial Reviews
William Boyce's eight Op. 2 symphonies have been fairly well treated on disc--versions by Pinnock (Archiv), Marriner (Capriccio), Boughton (Nimbus), and Ronald Thomas (CRD) have long satisfied both period- and modern-instrument fans--but it's been about 10 years since anyone's had a go at these very fine and enormously appealing exemplars of 18th-century English style, albeit in the manner of Handel's theatrical works. In fact, casual listeners would be forgiven for believing these relatively short, tuneful, rhythmically buoyant, skillfully scored pieces were from the pen of George Frederic himself. These so-called "symphonies", three-movement works most of which are cobbled from Boyce's stage
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compositions, are so ingratiating and melodically ear-catching that it's a wonder they aren't more common to concert programs. And certainly, if you're looking for a recording that shows these symphonies at their best, this one should be your first choice, as the vibrant sound, clean articulation, apt dynamic contrasts, and lively rhythms combine to make these performances both irresistible and worthy of many repeats. Kevin Mallon's Aradia Ensemble executes these pieces as well as we can imagine, and the sound places us in an ideal listening perspective. If you like Handel and you don't know these pieces, don't hesitate. [5/16/2005]--David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Symphonies (8), Op. 2: no 1 in B flat major by William Boyce
Conductor:
Kevin Mallon
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Aradia Ensemble
Period: Baroque
Written: 1756; England
Venue: Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto
Length: 7 Minutes 37 Secs.
Notes: Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto (06/10/2003 - 06/12/2003)
2.
Symphonies (8), Op. 2: no 2 in A major by William Boyce
Conductor:
Kevin Mallon
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Aradia Ensemble
Period: Baroque
Written: 1756; England
Venue: Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto
Length: 5 Minutes 53 Secs.
Notes: Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto (06/10/2003 - 06/12/2003)
3.
Symphonies (8), Op. 2: no 3 in C major by William Boyce
Conductor:
Kevin Mallon
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Aradia Ensemble
Period: Baroque
Written: 1749; England
Venue: Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto
Length: 5 Minutes 56 Secs.
Notes: Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto (06/10/2003 - 06/12/2003)
4.
Symphonies (8), Op. 2: no 4 in F major by William Boyce
Conductor:
Kevin Mallon
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Aradia Ensemble
Period: Baroque
Written: 1751; England
Venue: Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto
Length: 7 Minutes 25 Secs.
Notes: Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto (06/10/2003 - 06/12/2003)
5.
Symphonies (8), Op. 2: no 5 in D major by William Boyce
Conductor:
Kevin Mallon
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Aradia Ensemble
Period: Baroque
Written: 1739; England
Venue: Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto
Length: 7 Minutes 21 Secs.
Notes: Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto (06/10/2003 - 06/12/2003)
6.
Symphonies (8), Op. 2: no 6 in F major by William Boyce
Conductor:
Kevin Mallon
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Aradia Ensemble
Period: Baroque
Written: 1742; England
Venue: Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto
Length: 7 Minutes 34 Secs.
Notes: Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto (06/10/2003 - 06/12/2003)
7.
Symphonies (8), Op. 2: no 7 in B flat major by William Boyce
Conductor:
Kevin Mallon
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Aradia Ensemble
Period: Baroque
Written: 1740; England
Venue: Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto
Length: 9 Minutes 9 Secs.
Notes: Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto (06/10/2003 - 06/12/2003)
8.
Symphonies (8), Op. 2: no 8 in D minor by William Boyce
Conductor:
Kevin Mallon
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Aradia Ensemble
Period: Baroque
Written: ?1737; England
Venue: Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto
Length: 10 Minutes 49 Secs.
Notes: Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto (06/10/2003 - 06/12/2003)
Sound Samples
Symphony No. 1 in B flat major, Op. 2, "New Year Ode": I. Allegro
Symphony No. 1 in B flat major, Op. 2, "New Year Ode": II. Moderato e dolce
Symphony No. 1 in B flat major, Op. 2, "New Year Ode": III. Allegro
Symphony No. 2 in A major, Op. 2, "Birthday Ode": I. Allegro assai
Symphony No. 2 in A major, Op. 2, "Birthday Ode": II. Vivace
Symphony No. 2 in A major, Op. 2, "Birthday Ode": III. Presto Allegro
Symphony No. 3 in C major, Op. 2, "The Chaplet": I. Allegro
Symphony No. 3 in C major, Op. 2, "The Chaplet": II. Vivace
Symphony No. 3 in C major, Op. 2, "The Chaplet": III. Tempo di Menuetto
Symphony No. 4 in F major, Op. 2, "Shepherd's Lottery": I. Allegro
Symphony No. 4 in F major, Op. 2, "Shepherd's Lottery": II. Vivace ma non troppo
Symphony No. 4 in F major, Op. 2, "Shepherd's Lottery": III. Gavot Allegro
Symphony No. 5 in D major, Op. 2, "St. Cecilia's Day Ode": I. Allegro ma non troppo - Allegro assai
Symphony No. 5 in D major, Op. 2, "St. Cecilia's Day Ode": II. Tempo di Gavotta
Symphony No. 5 in D major, Op. 2, "St. Cecilia's Day Ode": III. Tempo di Minuetto
Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 2, "Solomon": I. Largo - Allegro
Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 2, "Solomon": II. Larghetto
Symphony No. 7 in B flat major, Op. 2, "Pythian Ode": I. Andante - Spirituoso
Symphony No. 7 in B flat major, Op. 2, "Pythian Ode": II. Moderato
Symphony No. 7 in B flat major, Op. 2, "Pythian Ode": III. Jigg (Allegro assai)
Symphony No. 8 in D minor, Op. 2, "Worcester Overture": I. Pomposo - Allegro
Symphony No. 8 in D minor, Op. 2, "Worcester Overture": II. Largo Andante
Symphony No. 8 in D minor, Op. 2, "Worcester Overture": III. Tempo di Gavotta
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