"I was only a talented man who can be happy if he conquers the present; only a genius lives beyond the grave," wrote Adalbert Gyrowetz in 1850, and history has borne him out. Gyrowetz (1763-1850) was yet another of the 18th century's prolific (more than 30 operas, 40 symphonies, and a large body of chamber music, songs, and sacred works) and talented composers who earned their daily bread by turning out what were very interesting, pleasing, but ultimately time-bound works. The symphonies on the present disc are all believed to have been written around or before 1790. The first two, Op. 6 Nos. 2 & 3, are typical classical symphonies that follow the standard fast-slow-fast-fast pattern. Their bright, sunny Allegros, gentle Andantes, graceful Minuets (No. 2 has a beautiful horn solo in the trio), and fleet, lively Finales nevertheless pale in comparison to Mozart and Haydn, whom Gyrowetz knew and befriended. In fact, on a visit to Paris he found that one of his symphonies in performance was mistakenly attributed to Haydn!

We must wonder if it wasn't the very Haydnesque Symphony in D, Op. 12 No. 1, which, with its protracted introduction and bold allegro (with trumpets and drums), clearly conjures up the master. The andante features much greater melodic and harmonic complexity than the first two symphonies, and the Minuetto and Presto are more rhythmically varied and exciting. This work is the real interest of this disc; it also seems to be the one that inspires Matthias Bamert, conducting here with much more energy than he gave to the first two symphonies, which are too relaxed in the allegro movements. The London Mozart Players demonstrate once again that they are old pros in this idiom, and the Chandos recording is the usual wide-ranging, clear, reverberant production. Recommended for those who can't get enough of the classical era.

--Victor Carr