Johann Baptist Vanhal: Symphony in E Minor, Bryan e3, Toronto Chamber Orchestra

Johann Baptist Vanhal (Jan Křtitel Vaňhal) - Symphony in E Minor, Bryan e3, Toronto Chamber Orchestra, Kevin Mallon (conductor) I. Allegro (molto) – 00:00 --- II. Andante – 03:34 --- III. Menuetto and Trio – 08:28 --- IV. Contratantz: Presto – 12:16 Johann Baptist Vanhal (May 12, 1739 – August 20, 1813), also spelled Waṅhal (the spelling the composer himself and at least one of his publishers used), Wanhall, and Van Hall (the modern Czech form Jan Křtitel Vaňhal was introduced in the 20th century), was an important Czech classical music composer. He was born in Nechanice, Bohemia. During the years 1762-63, he is supposed to have been the student of Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf, even though they were born the same year. Baron Riesch sponsored a trip to Italy in 1769, so that Wanhal could learn the Italian style of composition, which was very much in fashion. To return the favour, Wanhal was supposed to become Riesch's Kapellmeister Wanhal had to be a prolific writer to meet the demands made upon him, and attributed to him are 100 quartets, at least 73 symphonies, 95 sacred works, and a large number of instrumental and vocal works. The symphonies, in particular, have been committed increasingly often to compact disc in recent times, and the best of them are comparable with many of Haydn's. Many of Wanhal's symphonies are in minor keys and are considered highly influential to the "Sturm und Drang" movement of his time. Vanhal is a very visually oriented composer whose music seldom seems "abstract" even in the eighteenth century sense; it is far too unpredictable and variable for that. Vanhal's tense and restless "Menuetto and Trio" from the E minor Symphony (Bryan e3) is one example where the composer is stirring the pot when a cooling off period would normally be required. It is hard to imagine how such music would gain popularity in the Imperial Court of Vienna, yet nevertheless it was a hit; according to Bryan, this symphony exists in no less than 18 manuscript copies.