The name of Josef Myslivecek (1737-81) today remains indissolubly associated with that of Mozart, who first met him in Bologna in 1770. To what degree the Bohemian composer directly influenced Mozart remains a debatable issue, but the latter unquestionably admired his music. Certainly, anyone hearing the five immensely spirited little three–movement symphonies (actually Italian overtures, some of which originally prefaced Myslivecek’s dramatic works) on the present disc will at times be inescapably reminded of the Italianate symphonies Mozart wrote in the 1770s.

Standing rather apart from these is an affable Concertino with some appealing (and demanding) solo writing for pairs of horns and clarinets and a bassoon, and an earlier “Sinfonia in C” published in Paris as a string quintet or sinfonia concertante, the term here used in its older sense of meaning one string per part. Most notable of all is the brief Sinfonia in E flat, the dramatic tension of whose first two movements betrays a Gluckian dramatic intensity and seriousness of purpose. But throughout there is evidence of a highly skilled craftsman at work, whether it be in the ability to manipulate contrasting dynamics and material, or invoke the ambiguity of mood that informs, say, the Allegretto of the other C–major Sinfonia included.

The performances of Concert Köln are superbly executed and interpreted, passionately fiery and brimming with verve in outer movements, while the easy flowing andantes are played with affectionate warmth and poise. In every way a disc of outstanding quality. BRIAN ROBINS

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