Search - Carl Stamitz, Donald Armstrong, New Zealand SO Chamber Orchestra :: Stamitz: Orchestral Quartets

A Superb Offering in Every Way

Haydn Seek | Contra Costa County | 11/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like Rossini's String Sonatas or Mendelssohn's String Symphonies, you will immediately appreciate the charmed excellence of both composer and the performers that characterize this entire disc. These pieces are immediately accessible and full of catchy hooks and engaging melodies.



The NZSO Chamber Orchestra blazes their way through the outer movements with exuberant precision and yet the inner movements demonstrate the players' sensitivity and dynamic sense of proportion. The sound is pristine, balanced, and you can almost smell the rosin permeating the aural texture of this fine string ensemble. A terrific listen well worth the price...you will NOT be disappointed!



Carl Stamitz clearly remains underrated and under-recorded. I hope this offering serves as justification for Naxos to keep it coming from the very best of the Mannheim Masters.



More good examples of Naxos' classical gems can be found in the Cello Concertos with Christian Benda as well as in the several volumes of symphonies and orchestral trios by Carl's father, Johann. All of these are very listenable without a single bad moment throughout. So Naxos, how about tackling any of the 50 or so symphonies Carl wrote?

"

Charming Music by Carl Stamitz

Ross Kennett | Narooma, NSW Australia | 06/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A pleasant surprise to find this quite recent release already has 3 kind reviews !

Carl Stamitz was the son of Johann, first director of the famous orchestra at Mannheim, Johann died young and was succeeded by Cannabich, the young Carl played second violin under Cannabich for some years before moving to Paris, where this music, his Opus 14, was published in 1776.

Here we have four of the six Orchestral Quartets played by a small string orchestra, the NZCO Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Donald Armstrong, who have produced a charming program of music for us. I particularly enjoyed no 2, one of the concertante quartets, with the interplay between the obligato violins.

This is easy listening music, but far from trivial, with lovely melodies, cheerful and lively in the outer movements, beautiful lyrical slower movements. I suggest this CD is perfect for peaceful times in front of a fire on winter nights.

This music was new to me, I have been familiar with his clarinet concertos for many years, and with the symphonies of Johann and Cannabich, now I will looking for more Carl Stamitz"

Refinded treasure

Jim | NY | 09/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Solid performance of an under appreciated 18th Century composer. Shows French and Czech influences in addition to that of the Mannheim school. I can state that I do not have any musical ability, nor have I listened to other recordings of these works of Stamitz. However, it is likely to please those of us who do not possess an ear for music. Stamitz is in a league with Benda, Beck, and CPE Bach."