Vanhal: Symphonies, Cello Concerto - Vardai, Camerata Schweiz, Griffiths

Mastery by Vanhal Johann Baptist Vanhal numbers among the most productive composers of the eighteenth century. Among other works, seventy-seven symphonies and sixty solo concertos by him are documented. Quite early, however, Vanhal made a name for himself not only for the quantity of his works but also for their quality. Already in 1772 Charles Burney remarked, when the composer was only thirty-three years old, that he would not hesitate »to name Vanhal’s symphonies among the most complete and perfect compositions, for many instruments, which the art of music can boast.« And in 1814 Friedrich Rochlitz wrote in his obituary tribute to Vanhal, »He was for quite some time, and especially until J. Haydn’s and Mozart’s works became more widely disseminated and had made a deeper impact, one of the most popular, yes, even one of the most renowned, instrumental composers in Germany.« All that we can add to this is that we have sought out three genuinely gripping works by Vanhal (the symphonies as premiere recordings) together with the Camerata Schweiz under Howard Griffiths.