Spohr: Symphonies 4 & 5

Griffiths, Howard;
NDR Radiophilharmonie Hannover

CPO 777745

When Louis Spohr's Symphony No. 4 just having been published in 1834, it immediately turned out to be an absolute smash. In this work Spohr had created a completely new form of symphonic music by translating Carl Pfeiffer's poem Die Weihe der Töne into the language of music. Spohr was convinced »that this new genre of instrumental music, because it engages the intellect as well as emotion and does so in an unexpected way, will appeal not only to experts but also to laymen.« The composer was right, and it went on to become one of his most-performed symphonies. Not only the public but also music critics were truly enthusiastic. Ludwig Rellstab, for example, who furiously inveighed against the »misguided theorists« who defended program music, wrote that Spohr's music rose up »to a grandeur and strength of ideas matching the best that he has ever written.« We are now presenting this work with the Symphony No. 5 composed three years later (1837) and the dramatic overture to Der Matrose on Vol. 4 of our highly acclaimed Spohr edition with Howard Griffiths.

SACD

Muzyka klasyczna

CPO

27-08-2013

761203774524