Murphy: Schmitt – Early Symphonies and Chamber Music (APE)

Orchestra: Chamber Orchestra of the New Dutch Academy, Chamber Soloists of The New Dutch Academy, New Dutch Academy
Conductor: Simon Murphy
Composer: Joseph Schmitt
Audio CD
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 1
Format: APE (image+cue)
Label: Pentatone
Size: 396 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

Symphony in D major Op. 1, No 1
I. Allegro molto
II. Andante
III. Menuetto
IV. Presto

Symphony in B flat major Op. 6, No 2
I. Allegro Maestoso
II. Andante
III. Allegro

Simphony in G major No 1
I. Allegro con Brio
II. Largo
III. Allegro

Quartet for Flute, Violin, Viola and Cello in E minor , Op. 3, No 3
I. Moderato
II. Grazioso
III. Allegro Fugato

Quartet for Flute, Violin, Viola and Cello in G major, Op. 3, No 6
I. Moderato
II. Adagio
III. Tempo di Gavotta

Simphony in E flat major “Hurdy Gurdy” No 11
I. Allegro con spirito
II. Andante
III. PrestissimoFredrik From (Violin)

A Discovery for Some: A Treat for All

The Chamber Orchestra of the The New Dutch Academy, an ensemble of authentic period instruments conducted by Dutch-based Australian conductor Simon Murphy released this recording of the music of Joseph Schmitt in 2006 – but now it is to become part of a 10 CD box set to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Dutch recording label PentaTone Classics. It is a revelation on all levels – giving the audience a true taste of the ‘Dutch Haydn’ Joseph Schmitt (1734 – 1791), an exposure of a brilliant ensemble , and the sophistication of conductor and musical curator Simon Murphy.

“The Dutch Haydn”, Joseph Schmitt (1734 – 1791), first came to Murphy’s attention in 1995 during a visit to the Amsterdam Historic Museum. Murphy saw composer/conductor Schmitt pictured in a canvas of the 1788 opening concert of the Amsterdam concert hall, the “Felix Meritis”, and was inspired to go on a search of his music. Originally a musical priest from Kloster Eberbach, Schmitt was a student of Carl Friedrich Abel (star Bach student and Mozart mentor) and came into early contact with the Mannheim masters. Schmitt moved to Amsterdam in the early 1770’s where he became the singularly most important musical figure in the Netherlands in the second half of the 18th century, working there as a composer, conductor, music director, teacher, theorist and publisher. His music exhibits a wonderful vibrancy and cosmopolitanism. He displays, with an highly original voice, an immense knowledge of the diversity of the musical styles and languages of his day.

The recording of Schmitt’s early symphonies was the result of 7 years of extensive international research by Murphy into the composer and his music. Murphy located the composer’s works in archives and historic music collections in the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden. The works included are as follows: Symphony in D major, Opus 1, Symphony in B flat major Opus 6, Symphony in G major (`Symfonie Periodique), Symphony in E flat major (`The Hurdy Gurdy’), and a quartet of flute, violin, viola, and cello performed by members of the ensemble.

The comparison to Haydn is an apt one. These works and the performances here) are light and airy, bracing and full to fine ideas well developed. The sound of the ensemble is authentically of the period, matching the precise conducting technique of Simon Murphy. This is a light and airy selection of rarely heard music and makes for a refreshing introduction to a composer who deserves more exposure