Topic: Gurn's Classical Corner

[Jo498]

I hope Gurn is alive and well, unfortunately not to be taken for granted these days.

- CPE Bach: Hamburg symphonies (6 for strings and 4 for full orchestra), the are from rather late in his live
- Joseph Martin Kraus: symphonies with Concerto Köln (Capriccio)
- There are one or two collections (and of course they had been on single discs earlier) with Concerto Köln on Teldec with an assortment of mostly symphonies by lesser known composers like Vanhal
- Boccherini is huge, there are two discs with Europa galante (HIP) that were united as a Virgin Veritas duo, I think, that give a decent impression of some chamber music.
- Clementi: Recital of sonatas with Staier/Teldec and Demidenko (modern piano) on hyperion
- Michael Haydn (younger brother) wrote nice symphonies and a Requiem (as well as more church music) which is quite close to and probably was an influence on Mozart's
- Krommer, Reicha and Danzi have symphonies and woodwind concertos and woodwind chamber music roughly between Mozart and Beethoven.

However, it should be kept in mind that most of the music by "minor" classical composers will appear rather lightweight compared to the famous pieces by Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn.

[VonStupp]

Lots of images indeed, an overwhelming amount. I think I'm primarily interested in the later classical period, ie. around and after the death of Mozart, 1780s - early 1800s. But I'm willing to give some of the earlier stuff a shot, provided I can find a composer whose music I connect with. To that end, I seem to enjoy CPE Bach a good bit, for example, though I've only heard a bit of his music—he almost strikes me as a very early proto-Romantic. I'm curious to check out some of the Bohemians, like Myslivicek and Stamitz—partly because of your vocal advocacy for their musics, Dave. I also think I might enjoy Boccherini and Clementi. I think symphonies and chamber music are what I'm more interested in than concerti and solo instrumental, at this point, but that could change.

Anyway, I usually go to Haydn and Mozart when I'm in a classical period mood. Enjoying some Haydn London symphonies right now. But as I've said I'd love to branch out.

I don't know what you have heard already, but if you want to straddle late Classical with Romantic, Carl Maria von Weber's Symphonies and Concertos ride that line nicely. If you don't mind chorus with orchestra, Cherubini and Hummel have some wonderful Mass and Requiem settings. Of course, if you haven't surveyed Haydn's late masses, I would start there. 
VS

[Chaszz]

'However, it should be kept in mind that most of the music by "minor" classical composers will appear rather lightweight compared to the famous pieces by Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn.'
                                                               - Jo498

I've found Gluck's music to be exciting and beautiful, more than the other "transitional" composers from Baroque to Classical, and more than the minor Classical figures. I also have a suspicion Gluck was writing in the mature classical style before Haydn. It is hard to demonstrate this however. The opinion on his quality, as opposed to the timing, is regarding the sound of the style, because as an opera composer Gluck of course didn't write in Sonata form or any of the other appurtenances of the symphony. For wonderful Classical orchestral writing however, in his overtures, ballets and accompaniments, he ranks in my mind a lot higher than the position which posterity awards him.