Search - Carl Stamitz, Christian Benda, Prague Chamber Orchestra :: Carl Stamitz: Cello Concertos Nos. 1-3

Click on No. 2, Romanze, and you'll understand my five stars

Frank T. Manheim | Fairfax VA | 12/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Carl Stamitz, composer and member of the famous Mannheim orchestra , was one of the great melodists of the Classical period. Though rarely heard, and not of the stature of Haydn and Mozart, his inspired moments are unsurpassed. You get a taste of his gift in the Romanze of Concerto No. 2, in the sampling thoughtfully provided. An even more ravishing melody occurs in the slow movement of Clarinet Concerto No 2, I believe. It hangs on for days in my head whenever I hear it.In my judgment it is critical that performers feel this music and bring it to music-loving audiences without mannered play (e.g. period performance) that interposes intellectual barriers to enjoyment of it as timeless beauty. In this respect, Christian Benda does a tasteful and sensitive job, neither adopting "authentic performance" tendencies like cutting short languorous phrases, nor going into excess sentimentality. He comes by his right to play this music naturally, being of Bohemian origin like the Stamitz family. For music lovers who are not yet familiar with Carl Stamitz, I encourage you to check out his viola concerto. It stands with the Telemann viola concerto, the Mozart double concerto, and Berloz's Harold in Italy as among the most memorable works for an instrument that serves as a loyal team member but rarely gets its moment in the sun."

Wonderful music

W. Corey | So. California, USA | 10/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I recently heard some music by Carl Stamitz on Radio Swiss Classic. That prompted me to listen to more of it, and that led me to this magnificent CD of the Cello Concertos, performed by the Prague Chamber Orchestra.



The music is sublime. Christian Benda is superb on the cello. The orchestra plays confidently and knowingly. The digital sound is clear and crisp. All in all, this is an excellent CD. By all means, take advantage of the very reasonable price to add this to your classical music collection."

The lesser known classics

Alexandra Manou | Athens, Greece | 02/16/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you have reached this far, then you are probably already aware of Stamitz (father and son) and the Manheim school, or at least eager to try something other than Haydn and Mozart from the same period.

Well, this CD will not disappoint you.

Lovely Cello concertos (resembling Haydn's at parts), most beautifully performed. I have tremendously enjoyed my purchase and I am sure anyone with similar tastes would also enjoy this CD"