Gernot

The Perpetual Diet, the body representing the imperial estates of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, held its sessions in Regensburg from 1663 to 1806. Since the princes hardly continued to appear in person but instead sent representatives, this assembly became what was in very large measure a congress of envoys. Festive music not only constantly formed part of the ceremonial accompanying the diet but also quite naturally played a role at social functions and in the theater. Beginning in 1748 the court chapel of the Prince of Thurn and Taxis was responsible for the presentation of the musical program.

This is the first recording of Norbert Burgmüller’s symphonic legacy. This little-known composer studied with Spohr and Hauptmann and his compositions were endorsed by Schumann and Brahms.

Little is known about Cartellieri's life. He was born in Gdansk to an Italian father and German mother who were traveling vocalists, and spent his formative years in Berlin and Vienna. As a pupil of Salieri and Albrechtsberger in Vienna, he quickly launched his career and in 1796 obtained a post as court music director to Prince Lobkowitz, an avid patron of music and the theater and a great promoter of Beethoven. Incidentally, it was on the occasion of the performance of Cartellieri's oratorio Gioas that Beethoven first appeared as a pianist and composer in Vienna. Cartellieri's music bears the audible mark of Beethoven's influence but very much displays early romantic influences of it's own. We have the conductor of the present recording, to thank for the rediscovery of his symphonies.

f you thought Mozart’s Salzburg serenades were big works, then check out this extravaganza in nine movements, lasting just about an hour. Composed in 1764 and scored for everything but the kitchen sink, the work includes an opening march, two minuets, and major concerto movements for solo clarinet and solo trombone (yes, I did say trombone). Both are often performed separately. Michael Haydn’s proto-classical style is, as you might expect, graceful, tuneful, and easy on the ear, and if you are familiar with any of the other releases from Klöcker and his Prague forces, then you know that you can expect lively, elegant music-making (and some terrific clarinet playing).

When Beethoven introduced himself to the Viennese public, playing his own First Piano Concerto in 1795, the other works in the concert were the first half of this oratorio and a symphony by the same composer, who in the following year was appointed Director of Music at the court of Prince Lobkowitz. Antonio Cartellieri, although his father was an Italian, was born in Danzig in 1772, which makes him a fairly close contemporary of Beethoven's. Abandoned at 13 by his parents after their divorce he must have had sufficient talent to attract aristocratic patronage, which enabled him to study in Vienna with Salieri and Albrechtsberger. He died, however, at 35, and until now not even scholars researching Beethoven's early career seem to have taken any interest in him.