STAMITZ: Cello Concertos 1 - 3

Benda, Christian, Prague Chamber Orchestra

8.550865

The two Stamitz brothers made a very significant addition to concerto repertoire, particularly for the viola, an instrument that they did much to popularise in France. The arrangement that Carl Stamitz had come to with the court at Potsdam seems to have led to the composition of a series of cello concertos for the cello-playing King Friedrich Wilhelm II, for whom Mozart and Beethoven both wrote. The three concertos, in G major, A major and C major, are clear examples of the instrumental form favoured by Stamitz, with first movements in the now customary sonata-allegro form, but with a third, recapitulation section starting with the more lyrical second subject rather than, as expected, the first subject. The orchestra introduces each work, with first and second subject presented before the entry of the soloist with versions of the same thematic material, which is later developed. The lyrical slow movements of Stamitz were much admired and are heard in their characteristic form in the cello concertos, followed by lively final rondo movements, with the necessary variety of contrasting episodes. In this recording the cadenzas are composed by Sebastian Benda.

CD x 1

Naxos

13.12.1993

4891030508651