Search - Weber, Marriner, Academy of St. Martin :: Symphonies 1 & 2

Great Weber CD

Brett A. Kniess | Madison, WI | 10/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Though Carl Maria von Weber lived his entire life during what we consider the Classical Era, his music, especially his operas, were extremely forward looking into the Romantic Era. What a suprise, then, to find two symphonies by the same composer which sound like they belong in the Classical Era.



Both symphonies are in C Major, his first, however, is, by and far, the more fleshed out composition. Like F.J. Haydn, Weber, at the time, was at the mercy of his employer, he wrote what would best please his boss and what his instrumental ensemble could handle. Weber must have had extremely good wind players because the flute, oboe, bassoon, and horn parts are extremely virtuosic. As a matter of fact, it seems as if von Weber is pitting the winds and strings against each other, or more so, putting them on equal footing. This first symphony sounds rather courtly, easily bringing to mind Haydn or even Mozart. Von Weber sticks to an earlier eras' dance forms, favoring the minuet and trio over a scherzo, for example.



Von Weber's second symphony is not as straightforward. This one takes a step forward toward "Romanticism" bringing more intriguing harmonic progressions and deceptive rhythms and harmonies. While the first two movements seem to have a more serious garb, the last two movements are much more whimsical (I laughed out loud at the end of the finale).



Between both symphonies, von Weber is really a master of melody and very inventive in orchestration. Sir Neville Marriner brings out all the necessary melodies no matter what the orchestration. The virtuoso wind parts are played with great skill by the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, and the flavor of the symphonies come across loud and clear. One problem with the recording is the really close miking of the winds; the oboe, in parts, comes off honky, and sometimes the winds outbalance the lush and crisp string parts of this chamber ensemble. That being said, these are truly charming works with interesting musical material played in a tight and clear fashion. If you love everything classical, these rarely recorded symphonies are a must have.



Compare and contrast this recording with those on Naxos on a budget price, and this recording reissued on Brilliant Classics with piano concertos and overtures for the same price."