Boccherini: The Six Symphonies op. 35

Orchestra of the 18th Century

GCD 921131

Emilio Moreno’s passion, knowledge and thirst for the music of Luigi Boccherini yields a further revelation with the Six Symphonies, op.35, premiered in 1782, newly edited by violist Moreno and performed here by the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century.

In 1769, Boccherini extended his travels in search of work, fame and fortune across Europe to include Spain, country in which he would stay for the rest of his life. In 1776, Boccherini’s patron, Don Luis de Borbón, found himself outmanoeuvred by the king Carlos III in the royal succession stakes. He was exiled far enough from Madrid so as not to be a nuisance. He decided to set up home in Arenas de San Pedro, in the province of Ávila. Fortunately for Boccherini (and posterity), Don Luis was a committed and rich patron of the arts (the young Goya was a beneficiary) and devoted to his music...

In Madrid Don Luis had been enthusiastic about the developing symphony genre and Boccherini sought to palliate the prince’s exile some seven years into it with these six sprightly three-movement Sinfonìas à Quatro, imbued with the light of Spain. That the palace “house band” was typically a string quintet didn’t prevent Boccherini from imaging these symphonies as involving up to four string players per part for future performances, and it is such a conception which is being followed by the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century (continuing to maintain the love of music-making and the touring spirit instilled by their founder, the late Frans Brüggen), here led by violinist Marc Destrubé.

Works:

• Sinfonìa IV (F major, op. 35/4, G 512)
•Sinfonìa VI (B flat major, op. 35/6, G 514)
•Sinfonìa II (E flat major, op. 35/2, G 510)
•Sinfonìa III (A Major, Op. 35/3, G 511)
•Sinfonìa I (D major, op. 35/1, G 509)
•Sinfonìa V (E flat major, op. 35/5, G 513)

CD x 2

Glossa

02.11.22

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