02/16/07
Forget the Mannheim Steamroller. Think Stamitz. Johann Stamitz.
His symphonies are unjustly neglected. The Mannheim
effect, that exquisite use of crescendo, can be heard in a wondrous performance by the New Zealand Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Donald Armstrong, of the Symphony in D Major, Op. 3, No. 2. After the initial, sharp six blasts of two chords, then comes the first crescendo. Very classical. Very elegant.
This is as fine a symphony of this period not written by Haydn that I've heard. Highly recommended album.
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