Album

Whether he had to leave Germany because of a fatal duel, whether he had to leave Italy because he married his teacher's daughter, whether he settled in France because he wanted to protect his publishing rights, whether any of the many rumors about Franz Ignaz Beck (1734-1809) are true or false, it is good to have his set of Six Symphonies, Op. 1, available on disc. Composed sometime in the 1750s and published in 1758, Beck's three-movement symphonies are strongly imagined and successfully realized essays in a form that had only just come into musical existence. As these recordings by the New Zealand Chamber Orchestra under Donald Armstrong demonstrate, Beck had a gift for catchy Italian melody, a knack for snappy French rhythms, and the skill to embody them in well-shaped German structures. The New Zealand strings play Beck's music with affectionate attention and Armstrong molds their performances with insightful intelligence. While Beck's Op. 1 will not displace Haydn's early symphonies in the hearts of music lovers, they will find a home in the collections of those who have a soft spot for the early classical symphony. Naxos' sound is remarkably rich and warm.

© James Leonard, All Music Guide

CD 1
Franz Ignaz Beck Composer Overture (Sinfonia) in G-, Op.1, No.1 (Callen 1) Work 12:24 New Zealand Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Donald Armstrong Conductor
1	Allegro #1.	6:44			$0.99
2	Andante	3:21			$0.99
3	Allegro #2.	2:19			$0.99
Franz Ignaz Beck Composer Overture (Sinfonia) in F, Op.1, No.2 (Callen 2) Work 11:41 New Zealand Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Donald Armstrong Conductor
4	Allegro	5:05			$0.99
5	Andante	4:15			$0.99
6	Menuetto - Vivace	2:21			$0.99
Franz Ignaz Beck Composer Overture (Sinfonia) in A, Op.1, No.3 (Callen 3) Work 9:06 New Zealand Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Donald Armstrong Conductor
7	Allegro	2:32			$0.99
8	Andante sempre piano	4:42			$0.99
9	Presto	1:52			$0.99
Franz Ignaz Beck Composer Overture (Sinfonia) in Eb, Op.1, No.4 (Callen 4) Work 8:11 New Zealand Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Donald Armstrong Conductor
10	Allegro assai	2:49			$0.99
11	Andante	4:14			$0.99
12	Presto	1:08			$0.99
Franz Ignaz Beck Composer Overture (Sinfonia) in G, Op.1, No.5 (Callen 5) Work 11:29 New Zealand Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Donald Armstrong Conductor
13	Allegro	4:01			$0.99
14	Andante	4:50			$0.99
15	Presto	2:38			$0.99
Franz Ignaz Beck Composer Overture (Sinfonia) in C, Op.1, No.6 (Callen 6) Work 6:06 New Zealand Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Donald Armstrong Conductor
16	Allegro	2:08			$0.99
17	Andantino	2:21			$0.99
18	Presto	1:37			$0.99