João Domingos
Bomtempo was the most well-known Portuguese
composer of the Classical era, but I
had not heard a note of his music prior
to receiving this disc. After a few
listenings, I am very impressed with
both the music and program. Symphony
No. 1 is firmly in the Classical tradition,
mainly of a Haydnesque manner. Symphony
No. 2 is a more ambitious and serious
work that has early romantic features
and contrasts splendidly with the 1st
Symphony. Though both are undated, the
music leads me to assume that the symphonies
are separated by at least a few years.
What both works have in common are excellent
craftsmanship, fluid phrasing/transitioning
and a host of irresistible melody lines.
Actually, I consider Bomtempo an exceptional
melodist, likely his most attractive
compositional trait.
Is Bomtempo a musical
genius? Likely not, in that his musical
arguments do not constantly advance
in a logical and compelling fashion.
However, Symphony No. 1 holds up quite
well to the Haydn and Mozart models,
and the 2nd Symphony is close to being
a masterpiece of early romanticism.
Bomtempo certainly
had an advantageous musical upbringing.
His father was a professional oboist
and member of the orchestra of the Royal
Court of Lisbon. Bomtempo studied music
at Lisbon's Patriarchal Seminary and
was eventually appointed principal oboist
of the Royal Court's orchestra in 1795.
He later settled in Paris where he achieved
a splendid career as a pianist and composer,
an enviable situation that continued
when he moved to London. In addition
to dozens of works for piano, Bomtempo
composed five piano concertos, a Requiem,
and six symphonies.
Symphony No. 1, classical
to the core, begins with an introductory
Largo of heroic proportions assisted
excellently by the wind instruments;
the ensuing Allegro, in sonata form,
is notable for its highly melodic and
toe-tapping primary theme. However,
even in this exhilarating 1st movement,
the development section tends to meander
rather than set its sights on promoting
the musical arguments of the primary
theme. The invigorating 2nd movement
Minuetto is very enjoyable with a graceful
central Trio section where the winds
carry the melody line over a bed of
staccato strings. The 3rd movement Andante
sostenuto is not as convincing, its
series of variations tending to meander
around the unremarkable original theme.
Fortunately, the symphony concludes
well with a high-energy 4th movement
Presto that is joyous and delightful
throughout.
If Bomtempo's Symphony
No. 2 was similar in style and aesthetics
to his first symphony, I would simply
recommend the disc to those who enjoy
Classical period orchestral music. However,
Symphony No. 2 is a significantly different
creature having an impact analogous
to moving from Beethoven's first two
symphonies to his magnificent and ground-breaking
"Eroica" Symphony. First, each movement
of Symphony No. 2 is significantly longer
than No. 1, the 1st movement Allegro
moderato especially generous with a
length in the 16 minute range. Second,
the fecundity of melodic lines is very
fertile and even more appealing than
in Symphony No. 1. Third, there is breadth
of expression and serious intent not
found in the earlier symphony.
Symphony No. 2's 1st
movement is a remarkable creation. The
introduction begins in darkness with
the low strings but soon enters the
world of triumph with a glorious lyricism.
The Allegro contains one compelling
theme after another, making Bomtempo
sound like a 'melody machine' in the
manner of a Mozart. The 2nd movement
Allegretto is also stunning and highly
original; the first section has a march-like
cadence and blends poignancy with determination,
while the central section's legato and
songful phrasing is irresistible. Perhaps
most alluring, this central section
is not followed by a simple restatement
of the first section, but a collaboration
of the basic features of both sections.
With rousing 3rd and 4th movements,
Symphony No. 2 is an important symphonic
work of the early romantic period that
deserves much greater exposure in the
concert hall and on record.
The Algarve Orchestra
was founded by Alvaro Cassuto just three
years ago to provide Southern Portugal
with a orchestral of international quality.
Of the more than 800 musicians who applied
for positions with the new orchestra,
31 were eventually selected. Definitely
a fine orchestra, Cassuto and his forces
give idiomatic interpretations of Bomtempo's
music, my sole reservation being a sagging
of momentum in the Trio section of the
2nd Symphony's Minuetto. The sound quality
is a little muddy, but a distinct bloom
appears at high volume levels. The main
consideration is that the sonics do
not detract from one's listening enjoyment.
In conclusion, I strongly
recommend that anyone interested in
symphonies from the late 18th to early
19th centuries investigate these two
exceptional Bomtempo efforts. Once again,
Naxos gives us superb music from an
obscure source for a very small price.
Now how about those four other Bomtempo
symphonies. They need to be unearthed
and recorded.
Don Satz
see also review
by Jonathan Woolf
Algarve Orchestra/Álvaro Cassuto
