At the beginning of the 19th century, Vienna was the musical capital of Europe. However, the capital of ideological freedom was Paris. For this reason, the politically idealistic Beethoven even considered moving to Paris. No wonder that the French musicians of this CD combine Beethoven's well-known Fifth with a forgotten symphony of French origin. Both symphonies give their own interpretation of
… the concept of 'revolutionary'. Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is a 'romantic' (according to Hoffmann) quest from darkness to light. Gossecs Symphonie à dix-sept parties exudes the atmosphere of the open-air demonstrations that commemorated the heroes of the French Revolution. Gossec may be less well-known, but that doesn't make his music any less original. Just take the Minuet, which in most symphonies of the time offers a kind of relaxation. Gossecs Minuet, however, is elaborately contrapuntal, which only adds to the tension. (HJ)more
