8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Out of obscurity from 18th century Bohemia, October 19, 2007
This review is from: Benda, Barta, Richter, Stamic, Vanhal: Baroque Bohemia & Beyond (Audio CD)
This is one of a 3 disc set all with the same title, featuring works of Bohemian composers within the Austrian Empire from the late Baroque on into, and mostly of, the Classical period. A few of these composers have become better known and recorded in the last 20 years, but most remain obscure except among those who seek out the works of supposedly unknown 18th century composers. It has become fashionable to claim these composers as "Bohemian" or "Czech" but they lived and worked in the musical milieu of greater Austria and knew and were known to the better known masters of that time and place. Stamitz ("Stamic") is best known for his long tenure in Mannheim, for example. The works here are all high quality, fully the equal of their contemporaries such as Bach's sons, Arne, Boyce, et alia. They may not be Haydn or Mozart, but sometimes that isn't such an easy distinction either, particularly those great masters' earlier works. I highly recommend these to anyone with an 18th century musical sensibility or an interest in the musical history of the 18th century. Just don't expect too much "baroque".
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