Search - Franz Krommer, Zurich Wind Octet :: La Gran Partita, Vol. 2

Dynamite - the best Krommer collection there is

Larry VanDeSande | Mason, Michigan United States | 08/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't pretend to know what the Tudor label thinks when it variably makes this 1996 title available in USA, then deletes it. We are in delete mode now but this is still available directly from Tudor, a Swiss label with a lot of music by Franz Krommer available.



La Gran Partita, the group performing on this recording, is an octet that comprises players from Switzerland's greatest ensembles -- the Zurich Tonhalle and Zurich Opera orchestras. The players use modern instruments in pairs -- two each oboes, clarinets, horns, bassoons and a contrabass to add weight. I suppose that technically makes it a nonet but who's counting?



Krommer was born 1759 in Moravian Kamenice (northenr Bohemia about 60 miles north of Prague) and had a sterling career. For a time, he was the equal of Beethoven in Europe. How could this be, you ask, that a little known composer of woodwind curiosities could rival the great Ludwig van? There was a time in European society during the cross-section between the Classical and Romantic eras when wind players held the same esteem pianists and violinist hold today. The greatest Classical musician of all, Mozart, composed plenty of concertos and other composition for woodwinds, some of which were new in the era.



Krommer was an expert in writing for woodwinds -- as you'll see if you purchase this recording -- by compositing octet-partitas that were nearly symphonic in nature. His music is dotted with dance rhythms, humor, accelerated good feelings and counterpoint that exceeds every other wind composer of his time not named Mozart.



La Gran Partita play these four movement creations with aplomb, thrilling execution, subtlely and expertise. There is never a time when you feel less than elevated listening to these players, something I've never said about a single Krommer recording on the Naxos label. If you can find this recording, it will be worth your money to hear wonderful music thrillingly played by an expert ensemble that's still making recordings today. Tudor re-released a couple other collections of La Gran Partita in the last couple years. Neither is as good as this one but anything by this group is as good as any Krommer ever recorded."