Much to the consternation of musicologists, Leopold Antonin Koželuch (1747-1818) was given the same name at birth as his elder cousin, Johann Anton, who also was a composer in Prague. Separating the two composers’ works has proved challenging, although it is clear that Leopold Antonin made quite a career for himself as the author of some 23 ballets, 80 piano trios, a good number of quartets, concertos, songs, and more than two dozen symphonies. The A major Symphony, which opens this disc, reveals Koželuch’s implicit assimilation of Haydn’s symphonic style even down to his particular brand of minuet. (Thus, it’s no surprise that Haydn frequently performed Koželuch’s symphonies in London). On evidence of Koželuch’s stern Symphony in G minor, he also was quite familiar with the symphonies of Mozart, most certainly so in the soothing Adagio and the driven, invigorating finale. Paul Goodwin’s vibrant conducting, along with the Zurich Chamber Orchestra’s polished, warm-hearted playing, makes for a powerful presentation of both symphonies.
The Piano Concerto is likewise Mozartian in style, with its smartly embroidered piano writing (rendered with much skill and poise by Karl-Andreas Kolly) and musical material that looks gently forward to the Romantic era. All told, these are three highly accomplished works that, while perhaps not rising to the level of Haydn or Mozart, are nonetheless enjoyable products of their era. Novalis provides clear, full sound with natural balances.
