Carl was the elder
of two musical sons of Johann Stamitz, leading light of the
Mannheim school. In 1770 he left for Paris, subsequently travelling
widely and composing extensively. Although a violinist, a series
of clarinet concertos are amongst his best known works. These
have previously been issued on Naxos (8.553584 and 8.554339),
discs which are highly recommendable.
In 1776 Stamitz
published six quartets. Numbers 1 and 4 were specifically intended
for orchestra, 2 and 5 were marked as “concertante” works and
the remaining two (not played here) for undefined forces. If
I have understood the booklet correctly, and my ears do not
deceive me, there are no important differences between works
here in the size of forces – all are for a modest-sized string
orchestra. In the concertante works it sounds as though the
top part is frequently for solo violin – presumably Donald Armstrong
who leads and directs. Unfortunately the booklet lacks specific
information on the instrumentation. Although the ambiguities
of score markings are mentioned it would be of interest to know
how they were interpreted by these players. Otherwise the documentation
is excellent and has the authority of Allan Badley who edited
the scores.
All the works are
full of charming tunes and number four in particular is delightful
within a standard fast-slow-fast movement structure (number
five deviates in having two movements). The second movement
is not very slow – almost Allegretto – and the finale
has an unexpected and tantalising close. The concertante works
add variety in the middle of the disc and the Presto
finale of the G major work is greatly enjoyable. The “orchestral”
works have a bit more substance and the disc closes with the
initially rather grand C major quartet and its humorous finale.
The New Zealand
Symphony Orchestra Chamber Orchestra (to give its full title)
will be twenty years old in 2007. They have previously recorded
a disc of Beck symphonies (see review)
and I was impressed enough with the music and playing to make
that one of my discs of 2005. If this offering is not quite
in the same league, it is not down to the sensitive playing
or natural recording – Stamitz’s music is just not as provocative
as Beck’s. But it is well worth hearing; anyone who enjoyed
the clarinet concerto recordings mentioned above is unlikely
to be disappointed. Haydn and Mozart didn’t have it all their
own way towards the end of the 18th century – Stamitz
was recognised in his lifetime and is worthy of retaining a
foothold in the repertoire two centuries on.
Patrick C
Waller
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
Chamber Orchestra/Donald Armstrong
