Symphonie Numéro 6 Concertino pour basson

Description

Did Gernot Schmalfuss undertake a complete recording of the eight symphonies by Franz Lachner with his Taiwanese orchestra? One can assume so, as after Symphony No. 3 (1834), here comes the release of Symphony No. 6 (1837). The characteristic traits of the Munich composer are present; a classical structure in four movements but with an imposing length (45 minutes) and a highly sophisticated writing that culminates in the fugal episode that concludes the first movement, as well as in the virtuosic scherzo and its delightful trio (the most successful movement of the work in my opinion). Certainly, the very academic style of the composer lacks the genius impulses of the Beethovenian model, just as it lacks the inimitable lyricism of Schubert, but once again CPO performs a valuable service by revealing, under excellent artistic conditions, one of those minor masters who had the misfortune of living and existing at the same time as the greatest of their time. And, as a double blow, Lachner's great longevity led to him being dismissed from his position in Munich later on to make way for a certain Wagner. An original addition, the concertino for bassoon highlights the orchestra's soloist and enriches the repertoire for the instrument.