Customer Reviews

Sir William Herschel: Music By the Father of Modern Astronomy

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I must admit that before today I had never heard of William Herschel. (n.b. the amazon.com search engine only finds this composer if the name is spelt "Hershel" !?). I heard the "Concerto for Oboe in C major" played on the car radio as I drove in to work this morning. Of course, the oboe is one of my favourite instruments. I immediately fell in love with the sweet mournful sound of the oboe in this recording. I have a huge collection of CDs now, and so I rarely add to it these days. However, there was no question that this recording must be tracked down and purchased without delay!

Not by a long shot, but it is surprisingly good nonetheless. I fear that this CD will be purchased mainly by amateur astronomers, which is a pity. Herschel wrote with an accomplished, polished and mild hand which will no doubt find a wide audience if given the exposure it deserves. The highlight of the CD, in my opinion, is the "Chamber Symphony in F major".

I purchased this to play to my astronomy class, but fell in love with the music and play it for myself. Herschel was a musician first, and became an astronomer almost by accident when he read a book about optics written by an author who had written one on music. Like so many of us, he wanted to read something else by a favorite author -- and then got caught with the telescope-making bug. More than a constructor of telescopes, he discovered a planet and found a career. But, the music never left him and this recording Concertos for Oboe are charming. The CD also has one Haydn symphony. Enoy.

Most people recognize Herschel as the guy who discovered Uranus. They might hear a little of how he was a musician, but that's usually about it. What they may not know was that he was a major figure in the music scene before the American Revolution, pulling in a very comfortable income with which he supported his family & his hobby. His music is great background music for craftswork & writing. My one complaint here is that the record company also slid in a Haydn composition as a kind of afterthought. Not that I'm complaining-this is Papa Haydn, after all-but some more explanation in the record notes would have been nice.