Mysliveček - Violin Concertos Vol.1 & 2

Josef Mysliveček (9 March 1737 – 4 February 1781) was a Czech composer who contributed to the formation of late eighteenth-century classicism in music. In all, he wrote twenty-six opere serie, among his other pieces were oratorios, symphonies, concertos, and chamber music, including some of the earliest known string quintets composed with two violas. He was also one of the most gifted and most prolific composers of eighteenth-century symphonies. Mysliveček's compositions evoke a gracious, diatonic style. His best works are characterized by melodic inventiveness, logical continuity, and a certain emotional intensity that may be attributable to his dynamic personality.

MVC

Stamic - Symphonies Vol.2

Jan Václav Antonín Stamic - later, during his life in Mannheim the name germanized as Johann Wenzel Anton Stamitz (1717-1757), was a Czech composer and violinist of classicist era. He was the father of fellow composers, Carl and Anton Stamitz. J.V.Stamic essentially contributed to the transition of the Baroque period to the Classical era, above all by innovations of symphony structure. He found s.c. "Mannheim school", which was main creative source of classical period.

SS2

Benda F. - Symphonies

František Benda (1709–1786), the brother of Jiří Antonín Benda, was a Czech violinist and compoesr. He spent and  worked for much of his life in Germany at the court of Frederick the Great. Benda was a master of all the difficulties of violin playing, and the rapidity of his execution and the mellow sweetness of his highest notes were unequalled. He had many pupils and wrote a number of works, chiefly exercises and studies for the violin.He became the founder of a German school of violin playing. His works contain above all symphonies, violin concertos and sonatas.

BVC

Vaňhal - Symphonies

Jan Křtitel Vaňhal (generally known as Johann Batist Vanhal) was a Czech composer of classical era (1739-1813). Born in Nechanice, Bohemia, to a Czech peasant family, Vanhal received his early training from a local musician. From these humble beginnings he was able to earn a living as a village organist and choirmaster. The Countess Schaffgotsch, who heard him playing the violin, took him to Vienna in 1760, where she arranged lessons in composition with Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf. Further patronage helped him to travel and gain further knowledge of music and by the age of 35, he was moving in exalted musical company: it is reported he played quartets with Haydn, Mozart, and Dittersdorf. Vanhal tailored his output to economic realities of the day and ceased writing symphonies in the late-1770s. He wrote three operas: Il Demofoonte (1770), Il trionfo di Clelia (1770), and The Princess of Tarento. In the 1770s, Vaňhal met the contrabassist Johannes Matthias Sperger and wrote a double bass concerto for him. The English music historian Charles Burney visited Vaňhal in 1772. Mozart performed Vanhal’s Violin Concerto in B flat in Augsburg in 1777. In or around 1784, Haydn, Dittersdorf, Mozart and Vaňhal played string quartets together; Haydn and Dittersdorf played the violins, Mozart the viola, and Vaňhal cello. This recording is performed by London Mozart Players with conductor Matthias Bamert.

VJS

Mysliveček - Symphonies & Ouvertures

Josef Mysliveček (1737–1781), nicknamed “Il divino Boemo” (The Divine Czech) was a Czech composer of classical era. Apart from 28 operas, he also wrote 10 oratorios and cantatas, numerous chamber music scores, and orchestral and concert music.

MSO

Dussek - Piano Sonatas

Jan Ladislav Dusík (Dussek), Czech composer and pianist (1760-1812), was one of the first piano virtuosos to travel widely throughout Europe. He performed at courts and concert venues from London to Saint Petersburg to Milan, and was celebrated for his technical prowess. During a nearly ten-year stay in London, he was instrumental in extending the size of the pianoforte. He was an important representative of Czech music abroad in the second half of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. Some of his more forward-looking piano works have traits often associated with Romanticism. This recording of large amount of his piano sonatas is performed by Frederick Marvin.

DPS

Mysliveček - Il divino Boemo: Symphonies

Josef Mysliveček (1737–1781) was a Czech composer of gallant style, who contributed to the formation of late eighteenth-century classicism. Mysliveček provided his younger friend Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with significant compositional models in the genres of symphony, opera, and violin concerto. Ensemble Concerto Köln's "Il divino boemo" is one of the group's projects, bringing its considerable artistry to bear on a composer whose reputation has been less fortunate than that of his contemporaneous peers. In this case, the truffle is Josef Mysliveček, the "divine Czech" , in his time popular for his operas and oratorios, but already considered passé by his early death in 1781.

MJS

Tomášek - Missa Solemnis, Op.81

Václav Jan Tomášek, (1774–1850, Prague) was a Czech composer and music teacher of classicist period. He was an autodidact, becoming one of the most important piano teachers of Prague for a century. Tomášek exclusively wrote for the piano and became a forerunner of the lyric piece of piano, which later found its completion in Franz Schubert. At first he created compositions rather in the classical style, later was influenced by the newly born Romanticism. He wrote lyric pieces for piano, songs, symphonies and masses. This recording of his Missa Solemnis, op.81, was performed by Prague Chamber Orchestra, Kuhn mixed choir and soloists.

TMS

Voříšek - Symphony in D major, Op.24

Jan Václav Hugo Voříšek (1791-1825), was a Czech composer of classicist era, pianist, and organist, but his compositions move in special way to the early romantism. Although Voříšek died young, he bequethed noteworhy works, predominantly his Symphony in D major, op.24, which is the example of his innovative romantic elements. One of the newest, and simultanously one of the best performances of the opus is this recording by Prague Chamber Philharmony with the conductor Jiří Bělohlávek.

VSD

Rejcha - Requiem

Antonín Rejcha, also Antoine Reicha (1770, Prague–1836, Paris) was a Czech composer of classical era. A contemporary and lifelong friend of Ludwig van Beethoven, Rejcha is now best remembered for his substantial early contribution to the wind quintet literature and his role as a teacher - his pupils included Franz Liszt and Hector Berlioz. Rejcha was also an accomplished theorist and wrote several treatises on various aspects of composition. Some of his theoretical work dealt with experimental methods of composition, which he applied in a variety of workss. The recording of his Requiem is performed by Czech Philharmonic Chorus, Dvořák Chamber Orchestra and soloists.

RAR

Dušek - Piano Concertos

František Xaver Dušek (1731–1799) was a Czech composer and one of the most important harpsichordists and pianists of his time. Dušek composed sonatas, variations and concertos for harpsichord and piano and several symphonies and string quartets. Much of his music is in the galant style of the early Classical period. His piano concertos on this album are perfomed by Karel Kosárek and Prague Chamber Orchestra. It is world premiere recording.
Notice: Not to be confused with Jan Ladislav Dussek (Dusík). 

DFC

Brixi F.X. - Complete Organ Concertos

František Xaver Brixi (1732–1771) was a Czech classical composer and organist of the 18th century. Brixi’s style is distinguished from that of his contemporaries by its fresh melodic writing, vivacious rhythm and lively bass lines. During his lifetime his music was widely disseminated in Czechia. He wrote some 290 church work, cantatas and oratorios, chamber compositions, and orchestral compositions. His organ concertos, which have been recorded several times each, are his best-known pieces today. Performed by Christian Schmitt.

BOC

Dusík - Piano Concertos

Jan Ladislav Dussek (Dusík) - Piano Concertos  by Andreas Steier and Concerto Koeln. Jan Ladislav Dussek, baptized Václav Jan Dusík (1760-1812) was a Czech composer and pianist of classical era. He was an important representative of Czech music abroad in the second half of 18th century and the beginning of 19th century. In some of his piano writing, Dussek anticipated features of musical romanticism. Dussek was one of the first piano virtuosos to travel widely throughout Europe.

DPC

Stamic - Orchestral Trios

Jan Václav Antonín Stamic - later, during his life in Mannheim the name germanized as Johann Wenzel Anton Stamitz (1717-1757), was a Czech composer and violinist of classicist era. He was the father of fellow composers, Carl and Anton Stamitz. J.V.Stamic essentially contributed to the transition of the Baroque period to the Classical era, above all by innovations of symphony structure. He found the "Mannheim Orchestra", the most famous ensemble of classical period.

SOT

Benda J.A. - Sinfonias Nos.1-6

Sinfonias Nos.1-6 of Jiří Antonín Benda (1722–1795), also known as Georg Benda, Czech chapel master, violinist and composer of the classical period. Performed by by Prague Chamber Orchestra, cond.by Christian Benda. In all, he wrote symphonies, about ten operas, and the melodramas Ariadne auf Naxos, Medea and Almansor und Nadine. Benda's most important contribution lies in the development of melodrama, a form of musical stage entertainment which influenced Mozart.

BJS

Ryba - Pastorals, Czech Christmas Mass

Czech Christmas Mass, in Czech "Česká mše vánoční" is a classic pastoral mass written by Jakub Jan Ryba in 1796. It is also known as Hey, Master ! (Hej, mistře!). During the centuries, the composition became the most popular Christmas mass in Czechia and one of the musical symbols of Czech Christmas. This recording by Capella Regia Musicalis, conducted by Robert Hugo with famous Czech mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená was awarded by prestigeous "Golden Harmony" prize.

RCM

Ryba, Brixi F.X., Linek, Bříza, Brixi Š., Kuchař, Seger - Christmas at the Holy Mountain

Czech Christmas and Epiphany music, which in the Basilica of the Holy Mountain (Svatá Hora) traditionally echoes at the feast of Christ's birth. The album contents baroque, classical and neoclassical tracks by composer Jakub Jan Ryba, František Xaver Brixi, Karel Bříza, Šimon Brixi, Jiří Ignác Linek, Jan Křtitel Kuchař and Josef Seger. To the recording was added the sound of of church bells and clocks of Svatá Hora. Performed by Choir of the Holy Mountain.

CHM

Vranický A. - Concertante Quartets 4-6

Antonín Vranický was a Czech violinist and composer of classicist era. He was the younger brother of composer Pavel Vranický. A.Vranický was a pupil of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Haydn. His works content above all string duos, quartets, sonatas and concertos, but also symphonies and one mass. This recording is a second half of concertante quartets, performed by Martinů Quartet.

VCQ

Vranický A. - Concertante Quartets Nos.1-3

Antonín Vranický (1761-1820) was a Czech violinist and composer of classicist era. He was a pupil of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Haydn. His works content above all string duos, quartets, sonatas and concertos, but also symphonies and one mass. This recording is the first half of his concertante quartets by Martinů Quartet.

VCQ

Brixi F.X. - Missa Dominicalis in C

František Xaver Brixi: Missa Dominicalis in C for sola, mixed chorus and chamber orchestra. Singers: Kateřina Uherková (soprano), Marta María Infante Alexandre (alto), Pavel Kozel (tenor), Ivo Hrachovec (bass), Pěvecké sdružení Slezská Ostrava, Komorní orchestr, conductor Jan Spisar.

BMD