Wranitzky: Three String Quartets

Almaviva Quartet

CPO 555 466-2

Paul Wranitzky - Pavel Vranicky of Moravia - was originally to become a priest. But he soon dedicated himself completely to music – and this was a good decision, since he became one of the most well-regarded composers and conductors in Vienna. Haydn asked him to conduct his Creation, Beethoven his First Symphony; Leopold II and Francis II admired his works, and the greater public loved them; and the fact that he had his works published meant he was highly successful. But no sooner had Wranitzky succumbed to a typhus infection at 52 in September 1808 than his works seemed to disappear. Some of his more than 50 symphonies, his chamber music, and above all his first and most successful opera Oberon – König der Elfen (King of the Elves) were still somewhat popular until the merciless steamrollers of fashion overran his legacy.

Not everything he wrote is of the highest quality, but there are real gems hidden in his symphonic and chamber music. In particular, his rich string quartet output should be pored over, for great rewards are to be found here. The Almaviva Quartet of Switzerland presents a cross-section of his three creative phases. This is music of precious lucency and classical balance. It is spirited and full of surprises, neither brooding nor superficial, filled with playful humour and yet without any banality even when fragments of folk songs appear. In short, they are exquisite testimonies of a great talent.

CD x 1

CPO

29.11.2023

761203546626