Marek Bilinski

Czech-born Paul Wranitzky, a contemporary of Mozart, was the most important symphonist in Vienna at the turn of the 18th century. To mark the ascension to the throne of Franz II in 1792, Wranitzky wrote the grand Symphony in C major, a work of regal quality and festive exuberance. Wranitzky’s mature symphonic style is on display in the Symphony in B flat major, with its expanded orchestral forces, contrasting textures and broad musical invention. Overtures from two operas offer a sampling of Wranitzky’s dramatic writing for the stage.

Marek Janowski, Music Director of the Suisse Romande Orchestra since 2004, has made an excellent recording for Pentatone with that orchestra–a coupling of symphonies of Franck and Chausson. With the Pittsburgh Symphony, he has recorded the four Brahms symphonies: Symphony No. 1, Symphonies 1 and 3, and Symphony No. 4. These Strauss performances were recorded live in Pittsburgh's Heinz Hall October/November 2008, produced and recorded by Job Maarse, who did a fine job.

The Staatskapelle Dresden plays spotlessly for Marek Janowski … An excellent 'Ring' experience." Das Rheingold is dominated by Siegfried Nimsgern's vibrant, articulate Alberich, Peter Schreier's wonderfully vital, strikingly intelligent and articulate Loge and Theo Adam's experienced Wotan. But Fricka, the Giants and Rhinemaidens are all well cast, and the whole performance grips one's attention from start to finish.

Janowski's unfussy, clearly laid out performances, with the Dresden Staatskapelle on superlative form, may lack the sweep and energy of Solti's, or the compelling beauty of Karajan's, but they still have much to recommend them… Jessye Norman, then at the height of her vocal powers, is a rich-toned Sieglinde.

Vienna’s music scene at the end of the 18th century was home to many renowned composers, including Paul Wranitzky, who was a respected colleague of Mozart and Haydn and was frequently tasked with providing incidental music for the considerable number of newly written plays. The three pieces heard on this album demonstrate not only Wranitzky’s compositional diversity but a gift for symphonically conceived works featuring battle music, solemn polyphonic elements, and the popular Turkish style with its characteristic janissary percussion.