Notes and Editorial Reviews
This is a hybrid Super Audio CD playable on both regular and Super Audio CD players.
3414190.zz3_ZAPPA_Symphony_B_Cello.html
ZAPPA
Symphony in B?, “Cello Symphony
1
”; Symphony in D.
GRAAF
Symphony in D.
SCHWINDL
Symphony in D.
MOZART
Symphony No. 5 in B?,
K 22,
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“The Hague”;
Conservati fedele,
K 23
2.
STAMITZ
Symphony in C,
Op. 24/1
•
Simon Murphy, cond.;
1
Caroline Kang (vc);
2
Elizabeth Dobbin (sop); New Dutch Academy O
•
PENTATONE PTC 5186 365 (68:12)
Intentionally or not, this disc must surely contain the most misleading cover art of any booklet I’ve seen in a while. The phrase “Zappa Symphonies” screams in an oversized font on the cover, a message that could no doubt lead fans of art rock/classical hybrids (I’m somewhere in the middle on this topic) to paroxysms of giddy anticipation. Closer inspection reveals the Zappa in question to be one Francesco Zappa. OK—since it’s a European label, could it be a clumsy translation of “Frank”? Finally we read the dates of the composer on the back of the disc: 1763–86. I suppose rock stars aren’t the only musicians with a predilection for brief life spans.
If this Classical-era Zappa were the only composer on the disc, the tease might be forgivable, but there are five composers represented, and Zappa is probably at the bottom of the list in terms of contemporary recognition. There is in fact a tight organizational principal at work here, despite the almost comic obfuscation. These are symphonies that represent the musical life of the 18th-century Court of Orange in The Hague, performed on period instruments by the New Dutch Academy Orchestra, conducted by Simon Murphy. As it happens, much of the music is quite strong, and the performances are universally energetic, brisk, and infectious.
The opener is an attractive three-movement work by Christian Ernst Graaf (spelled with only one “a” before his move to the Netherlands), a name I am only vaguely familiar with. A quick survey of the
Fanfare
Archive turned up no previous reviews of his work, a surprise given the high quality of this music. The same neglect has befallen the work of Friedrich Schwindl, represented by a fine symphony notable for its debt to the Mannheim school, with vigorous repetitive “rocket” figures. Carl Stamitz’s zesty Symphony in C is an even clearer representative of this approachable style.
Mozart makes an appearance with (what else?) his Symphony No. 5 (“The Hague”), composed while on tour in the Dutch city at the age of nine. While no masterpiece, it is utterly charming, bearing the influence of J. C. Bach from whom he borrowed one of the tunes. His aria
Conservati fedele
was penned during the same trip, and seems to have similar influences. Elizabeth Dobbin’s clear, agile soprano is a perfect match for the simple, youthful melodies.
Alas, the hyped Zappa pieces are the weakest of the disc, worth a listen only because of the limpid playing of cellist Caroline Kang and lively, pristine performances of this fine period orchestra under the superb leadership of Simon Murphy. But if you have even just a passing interest in music of this era, this recording is well worth a listen.
FANFARE: Michael Cameron
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Works on This Recording
1.
Symphony in D major, Op. 14 no 1 by Christian Ernst Graaf
Conductor:
Simon Murphy
Orchestra/Ensemble:
New Dutch Academy
Period: Classical
Written: by 1776
2.
Symphony in B flat major "Cello Symphony by Francesco Zappa
Performer:
Caroline Kang (Cello)
Conductor:
Simon Murphy
Orchestra/Ensemble:
New Dutch Academy
Period: Classical
3.
Symphony in D major, Op. 9 no 3 by Friedrich Schwindl
Conductor:
Simon Murphy
Orchestra/Ensemble:
New Dutch Academy
Period: Classical
Written: circa 1765
4.
Symphony no 5 in B flat major, K 22 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Conductor:
Simon Murphy
Orchestra/Ensemble:
New Dutch Academy
Period: Classical
Written: 1765; Netherlands
5.
Symphony in D major by Francesco Zappa
Conductor:
Simon Murphy
Orchestra/Ensemble:
New Dutch Academy
Period: Classical
6.
Conservati fedele, K 23 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Elizabeth Dobbin (Soprano)
Conductor:
Simon Murphy
Orchestra/Ensemble:
New Dutch Academy
Period: Classical
Written: 1765; Netherlands (Holland
7.
Symphonies (3), Op. 24: no 1 in C major by Carl Stamitz
Conductor:
Simon Murphy
Orchestra/Ensemble:
New Dutch Academy
Period: Classical
Written: by 1786; Germany
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 
( 1 Customer Review )
More Neglected Composers November 11, 2012
By Gary D. (Boston, MA) See All My Reviews
"On this CD are 5 composers, with Francesco Zappa represented with but two pieces or about 20 minutes of this 68 + minute CD. While I certainly am not about to get confused seeing the ZAPPA name in Classical music with the Rock Zappa!, and seriously doubt any classical buyer would, I will say calling this CD ZAPPA SYMPHONIES is misleading in that only two are presented! Now it may be that is all that has been found thus far, when Mr. Murphy and the New Dutch Academy went to record this CD but a better title may be CROWNING GLORY THE MUSICAL HERITAGE OF THE NETHERLANDS, then the world premiere recordings of all 5 composers of the 7 pieces presented would be more accurate. And I must say the recording is excellent as per usual with this label, PentaTone. If you like 18th. Century Music, you should get a copy of this recording as it is very enjoyable. The very youthful Mozart pieces are delightful, the single pieces of Christian Ernst Graaf and Friedrich Schwindl are real finds, as apparently the two Zappa pieces and one would hope more could be found and recorded by all three composers. The final composer,Carl Stamitz: He has been recorded and CD's containing his music can be found and bought, so apparently his compositions have been better known and perhaps more have survived the centuries, although apparently this piece is a world premier as well. In any case the 18th. Century of the Court of Orange is very well represented here. They certainly enjoyed some remarkably beautiful music!"
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