Septets: Beethoven, Berwald

by Wigmore Soloists

Overview

Beethoven's Septet in E flat major, Op. 20, was his best-known work during his lifetime. It fell out of favor, partly because Beethoven himself was annoyed by its success in comparison with his more individualistic works. However, in a sensitive performance like the one it receives here from the Wigmore Soloists, it has much to reveal. It is a light piece in the tradition of the 18th century divertimento, but it is not trivial. Beethoven's treatment of register is careful and subtle throughout, as is apparent from the opening measures, and the wind writing is lovely. Even better is the Grand Septet in B flat major of Franz Berwald, composed in 1828. This work is far from a common item on chamber recitals, and the Wigmore Soloists make a powerful case for it. It certainly was inspired by the success of Beethoven's Septet, but with three substantial movements instead of Beethoven's six light ones, it resembles Beethoven very little. One might take it as Schubert, however, with its abundance of chromatic harmony turns, and it is a real find in the always sparse 19th century chamber music repertory. Sample the finale, which departs from the home key right at the beginning. The only complaint about this excellent release is BIS' church sound, which is noisy and remote in warm, intimate music. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	04/07/2023
Label:	Bis
UPC:	7318599927077
Rank:	12737

Tracks

1. Septet in E flat major, Op. 20~I. Adagio - Allegro con brio
2. Septet in E flat major, Op. 20~II. Adagio cantabile
3. Septet in E flat major, Op. 20~III. Tempo di menuetto
4. Septet in E flat major, Op. 20~IV. Tema con variazioni. Andante
5. Septet in E flat major, Op. 20~V. Scherzo. Allegro molto e vivace
6. Septet in E flat major, Op. 20~VI. Andante con moto alla marcia - Presto
7. Grand Septet in B flat major~I. Introduzione. Adagio - Allegro molto
8. Grand Septet in B flat major~II. Poco adagio - Prestissimo - Adagio
9. Grand Septet in B flat major~III. Finale. Allegro con spirito

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Wigmore Soloists   Primary Artist,Ensemble

Technical Credits

Rachel Smith   Producer,Recording Producer
Philip Borg-Wheeler   Liner Notes
Kaupo Kikkas   Photography
Dave Rowell   Engineer,Post Production Mix
David Palacin   Photography
Nico Froehlich   Photography
Yaroslava Trofymchuk   Photography
Franz Berwald   Composer
Arlette Lemieux-Chene   Liner Note Translation
David Kornfeld   Cover Design
Ben Connellan   Post Production Editor
Benjamin Ealovega   Photography
Robert Suff   Executive Producer
Jack Liebeck   Photography
Nikolaj Lund   Photography
Andrew Barnett   Typesetting
Horst A. Scholz   Liner Note Translation
Ludwig van Beethoven   Composer