Catalogue

Summary:

In 2014, Kenneth Woods and the Stratford-upon-Avon based Orchestra of the Swan made musical history when they completed the first ever recorded cycle of the Symphonies by Hans Gál. By dusting off the Austrian émigré composer’s gorgeously melodic and finely crafted scores, which remained relatively dormant throughout the 20th century, Woods has captured the imagination and introduced a new generation to Gál’s wide-ranging and extensive oeuvre. The four symphonies, each originally released alongside those of Robert Schumann, are re-mastered and presented all together for the first time, opening the door to further exploration and discovery.

Tracklist:

HANS GÁL (1890–1987)

CD 1

Symphony No. 1 in D major, Op. 30 (31:02)
1.  I. Moderato (10:50)
2.  II. Burleske (5:19)
3.  III. Elegie (8:38)
4. IV. Rondo (6:15)

Symphony No. 2 in F major, Op. 53 (45:07)
5. I. Introduction: Andante – Adagio (7:44)
6. II. Allegro energico – molto moderato (8:21)
7.  III. Adagio (15:21)
8.  IV. Allegro moderato ma agitato (13:26)

CD 2

Symphony No. 3 in A Major, Op. 62* (34:39)
1.  I Andantino – Allegro vigoroso e passionato (14:25)
2. II Andante tranquillo e placido (9:22)
3. III Allegro molto moderato (10:52)

Symphony No. 4 (Sinfonia Concertante), Op. 105* (36.37)
4. I. Improvvisazione: Molto moderato – Allegro moderato (11.22)
5.  II. Scherzo leggiero: Vivace ma non presto (8.11)
6.  III. Duetto: Adagio (8.50)
7.  IV. Buffoneria: Allegro molto vivace (8.15)

*world premiere recordings

Recorded 6-7 December 2010 (Symphony No. 3), 5-6 December 2011 (Symphony No. 4), 3-4 December 2012 (Symphony No. 2), 2-3 December 2013 (Symphony No. 1), Civic Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK
Produced, engineered and edited by Simon Fox-Gál