Kraus: Symphonies Vol. 2

Not the Swedish Mozart, but . . . .

As the Olympie Overture was the star of the first volume of the Kraus symphonies, the star of this disc is the wonderful Symphony in C Major, VB 138. subtitled "Violin Obbligato." Here I have to agree with the rather stuffy Gramophone reviewer, who was more impressed with the symphonies on vol. 1. In the program notes, Bertil van Boer compares VB 138 formally to Berlioz' "Harold in Italy," because the orchestra and soloist are equal partners, in contrast to the usual concerto. Well, it certainly doesn't sound like Harold, and has no programmatic content. However, it is a delightful and individaul work. The anonymous violinist plays with taste and style, supported by the expert playing of the Swedish Chamber Orchestra under Petter Sundkvist.

I had first heard Kraus on "Symphonies for Kings," Turnabout LP H-71156, with the Angelicum Orchestra of Milan conducted by Newell Jenkins. The Symphony in C minor there had a kind of Mozartean feel, very fine, if not quite Mozart. So, I had always wondered why his works were not more popular.

The other three symphonies are also very inventive little symphonies, full of light and delight. None of them are the same, and all are very well-crafted and full of nice effects.

The Kraus symphonies and the Vanhal symphonies have been unjustly neglected, and certainly deserve to be heard along with J. C. Bach and C. P. E. Bach. They are wonderful additions to the Naxos series of recordings of 18th century symphonies, and very enjoyable in their own right.

The recording is clean and bright, quite lovely. September 8, 2000

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