Joseph Martin Kraus, Petter Sundkvist, Swedish Chamber Orchestra - Kraus: Symphonies Vol. 1

A Buried Treasure!

About two weeks ago, I was working at home and listening to the TV cable classical station. After a few minutes of hearing this music, I dropped everything. I had to find out who this composer was. I had never even heard of Joseph Martin Kraus and I listen to a lot of classical. Where has he been? The music is wonderful. I don't understand why he isn't up there with the rest of the Classical elite. I ordered all four CD's in this series and I am delighted with every one. Wonderful, interesting, creative melodies and excellent orchestration by the Swedish Chamber Orchestra. Joseph Martin Kraus is a very gifted composer. Haydn is reported to have called him a genius. Though I have no musical talent or skill myself, I would have to say Haydn is right on. Sadly, Joseph Martin Kraus died at 36. Who knows what other beautiful music he could have left for us? Very, very highly recommended! March 21, 2008

Wow

This is a fantastic cd--great music played with incredible fire and committment. I have a few discs by the Swedish Chamber Orchestra under Sundkvist, and they all sound the same--amazing! Whether they're playing works by Larson or Ransgtrom, or the much earlier work of Kraus, they always find the perfect balance of technique and inspiration. The excellent recording on Naxos doesn't hurt matters, either.

Kraus is a revelation to me...a truly "unknown" first rate composer--and from the Classical Era! His work easily rates with Haydn and Mozart, though he might not have a Jupiter Symphony or a series of London Symphonies. Nevertheless, his achivement is truly remarkable. From the brooding Olympie overture, to the sublime Symphony in C Minor, this is the work of a master. Everything crackles with energy, excites goosebumps, and repays repeated listening.

I also heartily recommend the other works in the series, Volume 2 and 3 (I haven't purchased Volume 4 yet). They are in no way a letdown, and in many ways, show other facets of his incredible talent. On Volume 3, you can hear an early version of the C Minor symphony, his very different Symphony in C-sharp minor. Both great works--and both add sparkle to any collection.

This is one of the few works I've bought in the past few years that really knocked my socks off. Not surprisingly, it's from Naxos. December 9, 2004

NOT the Swedish Mozart

Joseph Martin Kraus is a composer probably known to few people. He was born the same year as Mozart, 1756 and died one year after him, in 1792. He has been called the Swedish Mozart but that really is not a good name. In fact, he is more like Haydn of the Sturm-und-Drang period or maybe C. Ph. E. Bach. He was born in Germany but was lured to Sweden by King Gustavus III, a famous patron of the arts. (And the king who gets killed in Verdi's Un ballo in maschera!)He sent him travelling all over Europe where, in Vienna, he met Haydn who rated his symphonies very highly, indeed. As well he might. This is great music with a lot of passion, fine melodies and a sort of abruptness in the writing which is very exciting. You never know excatly in which direction the composer is going to take off next! The performances are just fine with a crack Swedish chamber orchestra and a young Swedish conductor who obviously cares a great deal about the music. If you thought you had listened to all the symphonies worth hearing, this is a CD for you. Just one word of warning: Kraus is highly addictive and will leave you wanting more! June 21, 2000

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