Symphonies from the 18th Century Court of Orange in The Hague = FRANCESCO ZAPPA: Symphony in B flat “The Cello Symphony;” Symphony in D; CHRISTIAN ERNST GRAAF: Symphony in D Op. 14 No. 1; FRIEDRICH SCHWINDL: Symphony in D Op. 9 No. 3; CARL STAMITZ: Symphony in C Op. 24 No. 1; MOZART: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat “The Hague;” Aria for Soprano & Orch. “Conservati Fedele” – Caroline Kang, cello/Elizabeth Dobbin, sop./ New Dutch Academy Orchestra (authentic instruments)/Simon Murphy – PentaTone Classics multichannel SACD PTC 5186 365, 68:12 [Distr. by Naxos] ****½:
These are all world premiere recordings (except for the Mozart), but don’t mistake them for symphonies by Frank Zappa, the late rock star and classical composer – in spite of the album cover stating in its largest type “Zappa Symphonies.” Actually there is an amazing connection between the two: In 1984 Frank Zappa found an entry for Francesco Zappa (to whom he is not related) in Grove’s Dictionary, researched the 18th century composer’s sheet music at the UC Berkeley Library, and then recorded an album of the earlier Zappa’s pieces on the Synclavier.
That was the first time most of us in the world of music ever heard of Francesco Zappa, but it turns out that since then a Dutch organization known as the NDA Research Lab launched a rediscovery of the orchestral music of the Dutch court of the mid to late 18th century, and came up with these two symphonies by Francesco Zappa, as well as the other examples of the Dutch 18th century symphonic school. These composers are said to balance visionary 18th century enlightened elegance with the raw energy of being the “rock ‘n roll” of its day! (By the way, there is no mention in the notes of Frank Zappa’s earlier efforts on the behalf of Francesco Zappa…)
The Dutch court city of The Hague became a center of international cultural exchange and musical activity in trhe second half of the 18th century, under the rule of the Prince of Orange, Stadhuder Willem V and his wife Wilhelmina – who was the niece of the musically-obsessed Prussian monarch, Fredrick the Great. It was also a major European center of music publishing. A flourishing, innovative and highly virtuosic Dutch string school was also active. The symphonic movements for cello and orchestra and the symphony by Francesco Zappa are primary among the rediscoveries here. Both it and the other works here partake of a variety of influences from all over Europe but most of all have an individuality that sets them apart from much of the Baroque sound-alike repertory. All the works are in three movements, except for the aria, and bear close listening for a fresh and exciting take on Baroque orchestral music. Sonics are excellent and there is none of the wiry string sound often heard from authentic instrument aggregations. The cover also displays the words “Crowning Glory,” and that sums up this portrait of 18th century Dutch orchestral music.
– John Sunier
