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JOHANNES F. FRØHLICH (1806-1860)
Symphony in E flat major, op.33 PREMIERE RECORDING
NIELS V. GADE (1817-1890)
Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
CHANDOS CHAN 9609 |
by The Inkpot Sibelius Nutcase
Both Frøhlich and Gade are composers from the "Danish Golden Age". Not surprisingly, their music - smack in the middle of the 19th century - has been overshadowed by that of the Germans. Still not surprising, both composers owe something to the culture for whom we owe Mozart, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Schubert and Brahms.
Johannes Frederik Frøhlich's dad was a German regimental musician who had migrated to Denmark. His one and only Symphony in E flat would immediately appeal to anyone with a liking for the earlier variety of Romantic symphonies. To compare, the first movement has a late Mozartian/Beethovenian ring to it, with an understated sense of urgency. Interspaced among these are woodwind interludes of almost serene mischief.
The following Menuetto, with its distinctive volleys of festive drum rolls, has a whiff of formality about it, as if it was meant for a ball. A more up-to-date menuet, perhaps. In total contrast is its central Trio, marked by a playfully silly flute tune, flitting above a faint waltz! The total effect is not unlike something Mendelssohn could have written.
The slow movement, Andante, is placed third. By my impression, this and the finale are the best movements in terms of their consistency of material and expression. Some of the solemn stringwork in the Andante is startlingly Schubertian, though there is also a taste of Mozart in the woodwind (the notes indicate "shades of Rossini"). The final Rondo: Allegro is nicely held together, lively and energetic in the Mozart/Italian manner.
Overall, there is a tendency in the Symphony to place serious and playful themes next to each other which I find a little distracting. But after listening to this over a couple of weeks, it suddenly hit me: it's operatic! Hence the Rossini? I wonder if Frøhlich composed any operas?
Gade's Symphony No.4, op.20 is a bite-sized 22-minute work. It begins with a fresh and melodious Allegro vivace e grazioso. Next to its loud Beethovenian passages are the gorgeous Mendelssohnian wisps of light string music and fairy/pastoral woodwind.
Next is a luscious Andante con moto, which is actually shorter than the first movement. It has that open-air, singing quality evocative of some morning scene in the meadow. The tiny 2'35" Scherzo, which is of course a hallmark of Mendelssohn's, is marked "Allegro ma non troppo e tranquillamente". Barely tranquil, it is fleet of foot with a nicely raucous horn blast in the middle. The stringwork is particularly fasinating, and overall the neatness of this scherzo would have done Mendelssohn proud.
The Symphony ends with a vivacious finale, with parts both energetic and graceful, and everything concludes with a lively and irresistible coda.
Christopher Hogwood leads the fine Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra on this recording. Hogwood is of course the famed founder of the Academy of Ancient Music (the notes print "The Ancient Academy of Ancient Music" - which actually has some truth to it...)
Although these pieces don't immediately strike one as great Romantic symphonies, they are immediately palatable. Before I realized it, the 56-minute CD had completed its spin. Nevertheless, weigh your wallet against your preferences before you invest - for me, I like the Gade more than the Frøhlich.
My first experience with the music of Niels Vilhelm Gade (right) was with his absolutely beautiful Elverskud, a "Ballad on Danish legends for solo voices, choir and orchestra". Of the other pieces by this fine composer I've heard, almost all betray a strong influence of Mendelssohn. This is no complaint for me, because I've always loved Mendelssohn and bemoaned his early death.
The Inkpot Sibelius Nutcase can often be found perched in trees preening its feathers of squeaky clarinet notes.
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