Eybler's Symphony in D

Posted by: Tam on 11 May 2006

I was at a concert this evening, given by the SCO, which featured this work (of which I'd never previously heard). Apparently Eybler was a pupil of Mozart and this work was written about four years after the latter's death. Oddly in five movements (and this caused some to clap after the rather anti-climactic 4th movement - understandably, given the person, one Stephen Strungnell, who wrote the programme note, didn't bother to give any information about the number or nature of the movements). The conductor, one Andrew Manze, of whom I've never heard, and am in no hurry to hear again, gave a tedious 5 minute introduction to it (a practice I really can't stand, all the more so when the don't have anything frightfully interesting to say and I had to fight hard the urge to yell 'just shut up and play the damn thing'). Anyway, apparently it had 'references' to much of Mozart including the 41st symphony and plenty of Haydn. What was odd, given I don't have this on disc, and have never, to my knowledge, heard it before, was that an awful lot of it seemed very familiar indeed. I thought I detected more than a few bits of Mozart and Haydn symphonies (though I can't recall exactly which ones, because I don't know the late Haydn so well).

The reason I mention this, is I'm curious if anyone here knows the symphony at all, and if so whether they can enlighten me as to what, if anything, he may have borrowed from Haydn and Mozart.

The rest of the concert was Mozart's Ave Verum Corpus and the Requiem (Sussmayr ed.). There was some wonderful singing from the SCO chorus, though the playing of the SCO was pretty disappointing (poor conducting, I think) and the soloists were [justly] unknown to me. Then again, I wonder if I know share (I think) Earwicker's comments on the Mozart thread to the effect that the overuse in TV/film of the Requiem has ruined it. Then again, maybe this reading just lacked a certain energy.

Anyway, any information on the Eybler much appreciated.

regards, Tam
Posted on: 11 May 2006 by u5227470736789439
Dear Tam,

Was this the Andrew Manze, who plays the Baroque fiddle? To say the least I am no fan of his fiddling, the more so given my admiration the less famous Rachel Podger, who perhaps will one day be recognised.

I'd be really curious (in an annoyed sort of way, I guess) to listen to this, and try to identify the quoted works!

This sort of game can be quite fun. Must put the real Haydn on and face sleep after, well except fot three symphonies!

Fredrik
Posted on: 12 May 2006 by Tam
Dear Fredrik,

According to the programme note he would appear to be one and the same.

Apparently there is a recording of the work (by Michael Hofstetter and the Geneva Chamber Orchestra on a label called CPO, but all those names are unknown to me).

As far as the real Haydn goes, I was recently offered Davis's set of london symphonies for just over £10, so I reasoned that this was a bargain not to be passed up.... I shall let you know what I think.

regards, Tam
Posted on: 14 May 2006 by oxgangs
Hi Tam

I think youre being a wee bit harsh I too was there ,in the gods,

I thought the requiem was quite glorious

but the Eybler was the epitome of the phrase those who can do ,those who cant teach (sic)

The players of the SCO were quite young as i saw a number of them in the blue blazer afterwards

and rather attractive aswell

regards

mike
Posted on: 14 May 2006 by Tam
Mike,

I was up in the gods too.

A bit harsh? Well, maybe (and indeed, two friends I ran into afterwards certainly seemed to think so). However, if so, it's only because I know what the SCO is capable of and when they play well, they are by a significant margin the finest orchestra in Scotland. I know much of that is based on hearing them with Mackerras, so comparisons to someone like Manze are inherently unfair on the later, but even if I compare them to how they were when I saw them do Haydn's Clock symphony (no.101) with no conductor, which was stunningly good. I also would have said that the fact that the Choir's cheers were louder than anyone else's was indicative of the problem (I have heard the SCO Chorus quite a lot, and they are one of the finest going, but they do not normally stand out next to the orchestra, who are generally similarly fine). I suggest you have a listen to the Mackerras reading of the Requiem with the same forces (though different soloists), albeit the Levin version which is on Linn Records.

Actually, I seem to be having something of an overdose of culture at the moment. Last night I was at the Festival Theatre for the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Dance's production of Handel's Rinaldo (which was one of the most bizarre productions I have ever seen and, but I wasn't about to pass up free opera tickets) and tonight I have Elgar's The Kingdom, once again at the Usher Hall, with Brabbins, the BBC Scottish and the Edinburgh Choral Union.

regards, Tam
Posted on: 14 May 2006 by Earwicker
quote:
Originally posted by Fredrik_Fiske:
To say the least I am no fan of his fiddling, the more so given my admiration the less famous Rachel Podger, who perhaps will one day be recognised.

I don't think Rachel Podger lacks recognition. There seems to be a photo of her in most classical CD comics and a very fine fiddler she is too.

EW
Posted on: 14 May 2006 by oxgangs
hi tam

i enjoyed it because i love to here a choir and soloists and orchestra

because you get the scale although my new neats are doing not to bad in that department

wear a red carnation at the next usher hall concert and ill buy you a beer

though not in the usher hall ,3 quid for a beer outrageous

i ll certainly track down the recording you suggest


regards

mike
Posted on: 14 May 2006 by Tam
Mike,

Will do (or vice versa). Their bar prices are steep - it was 1.60 for a warm bottle of water too!

If you like orchestra and choir you missed a real treat tonight in the Elgar's Kingdom - it was amazing (see my post in the Elgar thread).

Incidentally, apparently they're remodelling the interior of the Usher Hall and part or all of the upper circle will be closed for much of next season (still, if it means they do something about those stairs that makes it quicker to get out, that would be no bad thing).

regards, Tam
Posted on: 14 May 2006 by oxgangs
i should be at the Tchaikovsky night in june as

Im educating my daughter or at least i think its that way round

so maybe see you there

regards

mike