Search - Rhenish Philharmonic Orchestra :: Reinecke: Symphony No. 1, King Manfred

Pleasant mid-Romantic music, especially the King Manfred exc

David Arenson | 10/11/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Carl Reinecke lived a long time (1824 - 1910) and was quite prolific (his numbered works reach Opus 288). He also knew himself pretty well, as is evidenced by a letter to a friend in which he said: "You know that no brilliant, original inventiveness is at my disposal . . . but I believe that I have provided, nevertheless, a thoroughly respectable piece of work, evidence of worthy endeavor, a passable command of form and good taste, perhaps, also of good judgment."



That essentially sums up the works herein, which are tuneful and well-constructed, if sometimes lacking in the native genius found in the efforts of better-known composers. But these works do provide a pleasant 50-plus minutes and are worth a listen (and repeated listening) by those who are fans of the mid-Romantic period.



The symphony is essentially one part Mendelssohn, one part Schumann, and one part water. It is comprised of a bright, springlike Schumanesque allegro; a tender, lyrical andante; an adequate if derivative scherzo; and a workmanlike and pleasant but rather underwhelming finale.



The King Manfred extracts, from Reinecke's opera of the same name, are the highlights of the disc. The overture is reminiscent of Weber and Mendelssohn and is well-orchestrated, with some verve and passion. The romance, with prominent violin, is lovely. The Prelude to Act V is slow and elegiac, a bit reminiscent of Wagner. The ballet shows Reinecke in a bouncing and jolly mood. It is a credit to the composer that one is left wondering what the entire opera would sound like.



If you're exploring the nether regions of the Romantic era - and you know who you are - this disc is a good bet, especially at the Naxos price."