Ignaz Joseph Pleyel
Grande Sinfonie in F major, Op. 27, Ben.140
Tonkünstler-Orchester Niederösterreich (Symphonieorchester des Landes Niederösterreich), Paul Angerer (conductor)
"Poor Ignaz Pleyel (1757-1831): his reputation isn't half what it used to be! At one time the pupil – and then the London rival – of Franz Joseph Haydn, in his own time, Pleyel's reputation rested at least in part on the undemanding character of his music. A reviewer writing in the Morning Herald of London (1791) said that Pleyel "is becoming even more popular than his master (Haydn), as his works are characterized less by the intricacies of science than the charm of simplicity and feeling."
He was thought to be superior to his mentor also by no less a figure than Robert Schumann. Pleyel once was the human symbol of everything balanced and moderate in symphonic music.
The symphonie heard is an example of Pleyel’s art. There are no romantic storm clouds on the horizon; this is expansively sunny though complex music in a late Classical vein, rich with invention."
Sinfonia in D Major Op. 3, No.1, Ben.126