Search - Boccherini, Goritzki :: Luigi Boccherini: Complete Symphonies, Volume 1; Op. 7; Op. 10 No. 4; G490

Rarely heard works that are never dull

F. Behrens | Keene, NH USA | 11/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Luigi Boccherini was noted for his works for guitar and those for cello. While his symphonies offer not much that is radically new, none of them are less than pleasant. On the mid-range priced CPO label we now have 8 CDs of (999 401-2) by this prolific composer (1743-1805) whose charming Minuet is heard in nearly every film that is set in that historical period. This boxed set contains the Symphonies from Op. 7, 10, 12, 21, 35, 37, 41, 42, and 45, with two others without Opus numbers. Frankly I have never before heard most of these and cannot compare them (which I hate doing at any rate) with other recordings. As played by the Deutsche Kammerakademie Neuss under Johannes Goritzki, they sound just fine. But please note that some of these are not "symphonies" as we define them today but "sinfonie concertante" or concerti for two or more soloists playing against a full orchestra. Listen closely to his use of strings, especially the cellos, but do not expect the full genius of a Mozart. On the other hand, Boccherini is never dull. Each of the CDs has a booklet with good notes concerning the composer and the works on hand. So either separately or as a boxed set, this is a good candidate for your next classical purchase."