The World of the  Court Orchestra in Mannheim,1742-1778
Army of Generals Vol. 1

KTC 1703 . 1CD . 8711801017037 . 18/12/2020 . Etcetera Records

Army of Generals Vol. 1

The World of the Court Orchestra in Mannheim,1742-1778

Composer(s):
  • Franz Ignaz Beck (1734-1809)
  • Johann Christian Bach (1735-1782)
  • Johan Christian Bach (1735-1782)
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
  • Niccolò Jommelli (1714–1774)
  • Carl Stamitz (1745-1801)

Under the reign and patronage of Elector Carl Theodor during 1742-78, the court orchestra of Mannheim became the leading centre of musical life in Europe. Not only were its performances of the music of the finest composers of the day considered first rate, but also were its own school of composers, virtuoso players, and innovative style. This school had a profound influence on later composers like Mozart and Haydn, and Mozart notably sought employment there, albeit unsuccessfully.

German philosopher and music critic Christian Friedrich Daniel Schubart wrote in 1784: “The elector’s theater and his concert hall were almost an odeum, characterized by the masterworks of all artists. The elector ‘s changing mood contributed very much to this taste. Jommelli, Hasse, Graun, Traetta, Georg Benda, Sales, Agricola, the London Bach (Johann Christian Bach), Gluck, [and] Schweitzer alternated there year after year with the compositions of his own masters, so that there was no place in the world where one could so surely develop his musical taste so quickly as in Mannheim […] No orchestra in the world has ever surpassed the performance of the Mannheim orchestra. Its forte is thunder; its crescendo, a cataract; its diminuendo, like a crystal stream  plashing in the distance; its piano, a spring breeze. The wind instruments were all as suitable as they could be: they lift and carry, or they fill up and animate the storm of the violins.”

Das Neue Mannheimer Orchester (DNMO) was established in late 2016 in The Hague by Canadian harpsichordist and fortepianist Anders Muskens with the aim of recapturing the spirit of music from the period of the original Mannheim Court Orchestra, including late Baroque, galant, Classical, and early Romantic – especially from composers of the Mannheim School. As an early music ensemble, DNMO plays on period instruments using historically informed techniques. It is made up of young professional early music specialists, and is a highly international group of young specialists, playing concerts internationally and featuring talents from all around the world. DNMO is committed to challenge established boundaries and conventions of the Classical Music world with the goal of rekindling the passion of 18th century performances. DNMO has a number of research initiatives to better understand and reconstruct 18th century orchestral performance practices.  In addition to presenting music from well-known masters, the DNMO seeks to present music of lesser known composers which is equally worthy of performance. Anders Muskens is a Canadian early keyboard specialist and director of DNMO.

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Track listing

Symphonie Périodique No.17 in E flat major, C. 27 (1761)
1 I. Allegro con sprito 04:42
artists: 'Anders Muskens' 'Das Neue Mannheimer Orchester '
composers: 'Franz Ignaz Beck (1734-1809)'
2 II. Andante 03:18
artists: 'Anders Muskens' 'Das Neue Mannheimer Orchester '
composers: 'Franz Ignaz Beck (1734-1809)'
3 III. Minuetto & Trio 03:27
artists: 'Anders Muskens' 'Das Neue Mannheimer Orchester '
composers: 'Franz Ignaz Beck (1734-1809)'
4 IV. Presto 04:38
artists: 'Anders Muskens' 'Das Neue Mannheimer Orchester '
composers: 'Franz Ignaz Beck (1734-1809)'
“Recitativo e Aria: “Anime, che provate” – “Queste selve gia d’amore” from Amor Vincitore (1774)with obbligato flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon
5 I. Recitativo (Alcidoro): “Anime, che provate qual sia d’Amor l’aurato strale al core” 03:53
artists: 'Anders Muskens' 'Das Neue Mannheimer Orchester '
composers: 'Johann Christian Bach (1735-1782) '
6 II. Aria (Alcidoro): “Queste selve già d’amore” 09:53
artists: 'Anders Muskens' 'Das Neue Mannheimer Orchester '
composers: 'Johan Christian Bach (1735-1782)'
Concerto for the Pianoforte Op. 13 No. 6 in E flat (1777)
7 I. Allegro 07:22
artists: 'Anders Muskens' 'Das Neue Mannheimer Orchester '
composers: 'Johan Christian Bach (1735-1782)'
8 II. Tempo di Menuetto 05:52
artists: 'Anders Muskens' 'Das Neue Mannheimer Orchester '
composers: 'Johan Christian Bach (1735-1782)'
Recitativo e Aria
9 “Alcandro, lo confesso” – “Non sò d’onde viene” K.294 (1778) 10:12
artists: 'Anders Muskens' 'Das Neue Mannheimer Orchester '
composers: 'Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)'
Aria (Didone) from La Didone Abbandonata (1763 version)
10 “Va crescendo il mio tormento” 03:37
artists: 'Anders Muskens' 'Das Neue Mannheimer Orchester '
composers: 'Niccolò Jommelli (1714–1774)'
Symphonie de chasse in D (1772)
11 I. Grave - Allegro 04:37
artists: 'Anders Muskens' 'Das Neue Mannheimer Orchester '
composers: 'Carl Stamitz (1745-1801)'
12 II. Andante 03:52
artists: 'Anders Muskens' 'Das Neue Mannheimer Orchester '
composers: 'Carl Stamitz (1745-1801)'
13 III. Allegro moderato - Presto 06:18
artists: 'Anders Muskens' 'Das Neue Mannheimer Orchester '
composers: 'Carl Stamitz (1745-1801)'