Search - Krommer, La Gran partita (Zurich Winds) :: Partitas for Winds

An excellent collection of Krommer's 8-part music

Larry VanDeSande | Mason, Michigan United States | 08/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 2003 recording from the Swiss Tudor label features the group La Gran Partita, a collection of woodwind players from the Zurich Tonhalle and Zurich Opera orchestras that have previously been recorded under the name Zurich Wind Octet. They are experts at the music of Franz Krommer, having recorded eight of his octet-partitas and various harmoniemusik, or wind band, compositions.



The contents of the current issue include one of Krommer's popular partitas -- Op. 76 -- and three other less popular collaborations for the 8-part harmoniemusik format.



Moravian by birth, Franz Krommer was one of the greatest exponents of harmoniemusik during the late classical and early romantic periods. His music is usually identified with and compared with Mozart, especially his wind band music. Most critics say he is inferior to Mozart as a development composer but is still very clever and facile in his writing, not to mention very exciting.



I think these comparisons sell the composer short. Since I discovered the Netherlands Wind Ensemble's LP of three Krommer partitas for winds in the 1970s (a recording that's never been released on CD) I have pursued a lifelong love of this music. Because Krommer's lifespan exceeded both Mozart and Beethoven, he lived well into the romantic period.



His music, therefore, is of a different signal than Mozart; it is more romantically inclined. Today's listener can hear some of that romantic influence in Krommer's Op. 71 octet or in his symphonies, two of which were recorded about 10 years ago on a Chandos CD led by Matthias Bamert.



Bamert's work with the Opp. 40 and 102 symphonies is hardly top flight -- he mercilessly pushes forward the agreeable and delightful music -- but it is all that exists in today's recorded marketplace. The performances give you a view into Krommer's romantic sensibilities, although it is more a view of Bamert's romance than Krommer's.



The current CD is a sampler of his harmoniemusik and it is a wonderful sampler, as well. While not on par with his octets Opp. 57, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77 and 79 -- all recorded previously by La Gran Partita on Tudor 7001 and 7027 -- the other three pieces on this CD are extremely well-played and very well recorded, especially a piece for two horns and wind group.



Throughout this recoridng you hear both the unanimity and virtuosity of the wind players in a clear and deep acoustic that never homogenizes the players or music. The recording is a model of clarity for eight-part woodwind music. The DDD soundstage has depth, breadth and definition.



As an owner of the other La Gran Partita CDs, I can confirm that they are the best renditions of Krommer partita-octets I have ever heard. The playing and recording are every bit the equal of this CD, whose contents actually pale in comparison to the prior two recordings. Unfortunatley, Tudor 7001 and 7027 are apparently no longer available worldwide and were never promoted by the worldwide music press during their short life in the 1990s.



What differentiates them from every other recording of octets I've heard is the variable levels of virtuosity, excitement and relaxation that takes place during the musicmaking. Most groups that record the octets pursue a high octane, almost nervous, approach. Allegros are usually taken at 90-95. While maintaining a visceral, almost symphonic excitement, La Gran Partita can also be 10 points slower in allegors, allowing the music to expand with a friendlier, almost chamber-like quality.



Pity these recordings are no longer with us, but joy that the current one has arrived. It's a great recording of premium harmoniemusik from the late classical-early romantic period played by musicians that know their way around in it.



Where many Krommer recordings in recent years have been on period instruments, the musicians here use modern instruments. There is a photo of the musicians and a listing by name but no other information about La Gran Partita. The notes discuss Krommer's harmoniemusik and its place in the musical world.



This is an indispensable release for lovers of harmoniemusik. Considering Tudor's CDs tend to evaporate quickly, you best buy it now if you have the slightest interest."