A Discography of Works by Antonio Rosetti (c. 1750-1792)
Diether Steppuhn, Secretary, International Rosetti Society

Introduction

One of the most imaginative and talented composers of the late eighteenth century was Antonio Rosetti (ca. 1750-1792). He was born Anton Rösler [Rössler] around 1750 in Litomĕřice [Leitmeritz] in Northern Bohemia. We know little about his childhood except that he was educated by the Jesuits in Prague. In 1773 he found employment in the Hofkapelle of the Prince Kraft Ernst of Oettingen-Wallerstein in the Nördlinger Ries of southern Germany. Sometime before coming to Wallerstein he changed his name to its Italian form and thereafter continually referred to himself as Antonio Rosetti. Although hired as a servant and violone player, Rosetti was quickly promoted to Hofmusikus and in 1786 Kapellmeister. Under his direction, the Wallerstein Hofkapelle developed into one of Europes best court orchestras, known especially for the quality of its wind players. Most of Rosettis music was composed expressly for the musicians of the Hofkapelle. He 1781-82 Rosetti was granted permission to visit Paris. In his extant letters from Paris to the Wallerstein he describes with enthusiasm the effect that the vibrant music of this great metropolis had on him and the great success that he experienced there. He soon was regarded as the most popular writer of music at his time (Christian F. D. Schubart). Rosetti remained in Wallerstein sixteen years, leaving in July 1789 to accept the post of Kapellmeister to the Duke Friedrich Franz I of Mecklenburg-Schwerin in Ludwigslust in northern Germany. He died there on the last day of June 1792 at the age of 42 years.

Rosetti was a prolific composer, who during the course of his short life authored over 200 compositions. These embrace most of the instrumental and vocal genres popular in his day with the notable exception of opera. Most of his music is instrumental, with symphonies, concertos, and wind partitas forming a substantial group. His vocal works include primarily Lieder, two oratorios, Masses, and other shorter liturgical works. In his lifetime Rosettis music was highly regarded and widely performed. Nearly three quarters of his compositions appeared in print before his death. Critics praised his gift for lyrical melody and his imaginative orchestration. Passages from his compositions were cited in theoretical manuals, and reviewers frequently recommended his work to the musical public. Today Rosettis compositions have been preserved in manuscript and printed sources in more than 288 libraries, archives, and private collections in twenty-three countries. A guide to this repertory is to be found in Sterling E. Murray, The Music of Antonio Rosetti (Anton Rösler), ca. 1750-1792: A Thematic Catalog (Warren, Michigan: Harmonie Park Press, 1996).

The International Rosetti Society (www.rosetti.de) was founded to promote knowledge and performance of his music. The Society publishes a journal entitled Rosetti Forum: Mitteilungen der Internationalen Rosetti-Geschellschaft and sponsors an annual festival featuring performances of the music of Rosetti and his contemporaries in various Wallerstein palaces. Recently, the Rosetti Society has joined with Amadeus Verlag of Winterthur, Switzerland (www.amadeusmusic.ch) to mount a comprehensive critical edition of Rosettis music.

Recordings of his concertos, symphonies, and chamber music performed by some of todays best ensembles and soloists have appeared with increased frequency in both Europe and this country. The following is a list of recent recordings with outstanding performances.

Recordings

Symphony in G Minor (Murray A42), Symphony in D-sharp Major (Murray A28), Symphony in B-flat Major (Murray A49), Symphony in E-flat Major (Murray A27), Concerto Köln (Symphonies Vol. I), Teldec 4509-98420-2.

Symphony in D Major La Chasse (Murray A20), Symphony in C Major (Murray A9), Symphony in D Major (Murray A13), Symphony in G Major (Murray A40), Concerto Köln (Symphonies Vol. II), Teldec 0630-18301-2.

With these two CDs, Rosetti truly started to become known to the musically inclined public: Concerto Köln and DeutschlandFunk Köln devoted its 1996 festival weekend Kölner Festtage Alte Musik/ Cologne Festival of Ancient Music to Rosettis life and compositions and later published these two CDs with eight of his symphonies. They are convincingly played here on period instruments.

Symphony in D Major (Murray A12), Symphony in G Major (Murray A40), Symphony in C Major (Murray A9), Symphony in F Major (Murray A33), London Mozart Players, Matthias Bamert, Chandos 9567.

Symphony in E-flat Major (Murray A27), Symphony in G Minor (Murray A42), Symphony in C Major (Murray A8), Symphony in D Major (Murray A21), Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, Georg Mais, Arte Nova 74321 72123.

Symphony in C Major (Murray A8), Symphony in E-flat Major (Murray A29), Symphony in B-flat Major (Murray A48), Neubrandenburg Philharmonie, Nicolás Pasquet, RBM 463 192.

Symphony in G Minor (Murray A42), Symphony by Hertel and Violin Concerto by Benda, Neubrandenburg Philharmonie, Romely Pfund, RBM 463 183.

These CDs were published after 1996 and brought more of Rosettis symphonies to public attention. Bamert and his London Mozart Players give them the necessary zest in an exemplary way.

Symphony in D Major (Murray A19), Piano Concerto in G Major (Murray C3), Piano Concerto in G Major (Murray C2), Symphony in C Major (Murray A6), Stuttgarter Kammerorchester, Johannes Moesus; Nerine Barrett (piano), Tacet 67.

This technically and interpretatively attractive CD contains Rosettis only piano concertos and two of his symphonies. As conductor of the orchestra, Johannes Moesus, president of the International Rosetti Society, convincingly shapes the music according to what he has gained by his serious study of Rosettis work.

Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra in E-flat Major (Murray C62), Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra in E-flat Major (Murray C63), Concerto for Two Horns and Orchestra in F Major (Murray C60), Dieter Klöcker (clarinet), Klaus Wallendorf and Sarah Willis (horn), SWR-Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Freiburg, Holger Schröter-Seebeck, cpo 999 621-2.

Prof. Dieter Klöcker, world-famous clarinetist, is also known for his research in East European archives, which resulted in the recovery of several dozens of thrilling compositions of the late 18th and early 19th centuries by composers whose names have long been forgotten. Through this process he became one of the most ardent advocates of Rosettis music, particularly regarding works for the clarinet and the horn. His enthusiasm makes for some brilliant embellishments in these clarinet concertos. Two of Germanys top horn players join in one of Rosettis famous concertos for two horns and orchestra. The composer wrote about a dozen of them for this very rare combination of solo instruments. This CD is a must for every lover of Rosettis music, of clarinet music in general, and especially of horn concertos.

Concerto for Horn and Orchestra in E-flat Major (Murray C43Q), Concerto for Horn and Orchestra in E Major (Murray C52), Concerto for Horn and Orchestra in E-flat Major (Murray C40), Concerto for Horn and Orchestra in E-flat Major (Murray C47), Radek Baborak (horn), Bayerische Kammerphilharmonie, Johannes Moesus, Arte Nova 74321 92764-2.

Concerto for Horn and Orchestra in E-flat Major (Murray C49), Concerto for Horn and Orchestra in D Minor (Murray C38), Concerto for Horn and Orchestra in E-flat Major (Murray C51), Concerto for Horn and Orchestra in F Major (Murray C53), Czech Chamber Orchestra, Ondrej Kukal; Zdenek Divoký (horn), Hänssler Classic CD 98.383.

Concerto for Two Horns and Orchestra in E-flat Major (Murray C55), Concerto for Two Horns and Orchestra in E-flat Major (Murray C61); in addition: Horn Concertos by Fiala and Pokorny Capella Istropolitana, Frantisek Vajnar; Zdenek and Bedrich Tylsar (horn), Naxos 8.550 459.

Concerto for Horn and Orchestra in E-flat Major (Murray C41), Concerto for Horn and Orchestra in E-flat Major (Murray C49), Concerto for Two Horns and Orchestra in F Major (Murray C61), Southwestgerman Chamber Orchestra, Vladislav Czarnecki; Ifor James and Tobias Schnirring (horn), EBS 6045.

Concerto for Horn and Orchestra in E-flat Major (Murray C49), in addition: Horn Concertos by Haydn, Stich-Punto and Cherubini. Cologne Radio Orchestra, Johannes Goritzki; Andrew Joy (horn), Capriccio 10 837.

Concerto for Horn and Orchestra in E-flat Major (Murray C41), Concerto for Horn and Orchestra in E-flat Major (Murray C48), in addition: Horn Concertos by Stich-Punto and Foerster, Northern Sinfonia of England, Howard Griffiths; Peter Francomb (horn), Pan Classics, 510 095.

Concerto for Horn and Orchestra in F Major (Murray C38), Horn Concertos by Haydn and Danzi, Concerto Amsterdam, Jaap Schroeder; Hermann Baumann (horn), Teldec 0730-123324-2.

Concerto for Horn and Orchestra in E-flat Major (Murray C49), in addition: Horn Concertos by Louis François Dauprat, Gustav Schoeck and Paul Hindemith, Wroclaw Chamber Orchestra Leopoldinum, Jan Stanienda; Zbigniew Zuk (horn), Zuk Records, 071088.

Concerto for 2 Horns and Orchestra E-flat Major (Murray C56), Concerto for 2 Horns and Orchestra in E-flat Major (Murray C57), Concerto for 2 Horns and Orchestra in E Major (Murray C58), Notturno for 2 Flutes, 2 Horns and Strings in E-flat Major (Murray B27), Bayerische Kammerphilharmonie, Johannes Moesus; Klaus Wallendorf and Sarah Willis (horn), CPO 999 734-2.

The horn players of Rosettis orchestra inspired the composer to write many concertos; the number of CDs with these works is correspondingly growing. Many famous horn players are featured in recordings of these fascinating compositions. As for the solo horn concertos, the Czech Zdenek Divoký shows an affinity for these demanding works by his early Bohemian compatriot. His playing is exhilarating. The other recordings contain some of the afore-mentioned rare and often breathtaking concertos for two horns and orchestra in excellent performances. The latest recording, again with Klaus Wallendorf and Sarah Willis, who participate in another concerto for two horns (Murray C60 mentioned above), contains three more of these rare compositions for two horns and orchestra. It also includes one of the many notturnos Rosetti composed for princely night music entertainment. This new recording provides many opportunities for the two horn players to display their musicality and abilities, the orchestra led again by Johannes Moesus.

Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra in F Major (Murray C28), in addition: Oboe Concertos by Ferlendis and Mozart, Chamber Orchestra C. P. E. Bach, Hartmuth Haenchen; Burkhard Glaetzner (oboe), Capriccio 10 087.

Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra in F Major (Murray C28), Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra in C Major (Murray C31), Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra in D Major (Murray C33), Slovak Chamber Orchestra, Bohdan Warchal; Lajos Lencsés (oboe), cpo 999 062-2.

Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra in D Major (Murray C33), Oboe and Trumpet Concertos by Hertel, Violin Concerto by Benda, Neubrandenburg Philharmonie, Romely Pfund; Burkhard Glaetzner (oboe), RBM 463 181.

Symphony in D Major (Murray A21), Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra in G Major (Murray C36), Symphonie concertante for 2 Violins and Orchestra in D Major (Murray C14), Symphony in D Major (Murray A14), Hamburger Symphoniker, Johannes Moesus; Christian Specht (oboe), Stefan Czermak (violin), Akiko Tanaka (violin), MDG 329 1036-2.

Symphony in D Major La Chasse (Murray A20), Symphony in B-flat Major (Murray A43), Concerto for Flute and Orchestra in G Major (Murray C28), Symphony in D Major (Murray A22), Hamburger Symphoniker, Johannes Moesus; Susanne Barner (flute), MDG 329 1164-2.

As mentioned previously, the Wallerstein Hofkapelle, with Rosetti as Kapellmeister for several years, was famous for its internationally renowned horn and other wind players. Rosetti therefore had ample opportunity to write solo concertos for their instruments. Here we have several CDs with oboe concertos in excellent performances. The first MDG CD is attractive in its addition of a short Concertante for two solo violins and two of Rosettis astonishingly modern symphonies. The second MDG CD starts with an exciting beginning of the famous La Chasse Symphony (a roaring triple crescendo), contains two other symphonies and one of the many flute concertos. The RBM CD features a trumpet concerto by Hertel and a violin concerto by Benda. The Capriccio CD also offers the famous oboe concerto KV 314 that Mozart dedicated to his friend Ferlendis, a well-known oboe player who also composed such a concerto for himself--quite a rarity.

Concerto for Flute and Orchestra in D Major (Murray C27), in addition: Flute Concertos by Krommer and Vanhal, Prague Chamber Orchestra, Bruno Meier, flute, Koch-Schwann 312 282.

Concertos for Flute and Orchestra in C Major (Murray C16), in F Major (Murray C21), in G Major (Murray C22), in G Major (Murray C25), Prague Chamber Orchestra, Bruno Meier (flute), Orfeo C 095 031 A.

Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra in B-flat Major (Murray C74), in addition: Bassoon Concertos by Danzi, Winter and von Weber, Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra, Ervin Lukács; László Hára, bassoon, Hungaroton HCD 31 139.

Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra in B-flat Major (Murray C69), Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra in B-flat Major (Murray C73), Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra in B-flat Major (Murray C74), Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra in F Major (Murray C75), Neubrandenburg Philharmonie, Nicolás Pasquet; Albrecht Holder (bassoon), Naxos 8.555 341.

Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra in B-flat Major (Murray C69), Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra in B-flat Major (Murray C73), Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra in B-flat Major (Murray C74), Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra in F Major (Murray C75), Deutsche Kammerakademie Neuss; Eckart Hübner (bassoon and conductor), CPO 999 936-2.

There are several recordings with solo concertos for wind instruments. The Swiss flutist Bruno Meier has just given us two of them, one containing one of Rosettis flute concertos along with concertos by Bohemian composers Krommer and Vanhal, and the other offering four more concertos by Rosetti. After the usually rather long orchestral introductions, Meier, the editor of these concertos, proves to be an excellent flutist who shapes the often contrasting moods, adding many colors to the music. The middle movements often seem to approach romanticism, particularly when the solo flute sings its melodies accompanied by strings only, as in the concerto Murray C21. Meier also excels in virtuoso passages with his own embellishments and cadenzas. There are three CDs bringing us some of Rosettis bassoon concertos. Háras recording was published twelve years ago; Holders 2001 recording uses modern recording techniques and conveys his interpretative skills as well as his art of shaping the moods of the twelve different movements of these concertos convincingly; Hübner duplicates this recording in a performance that focuses more on the elegance and refinement of Rosettis music (contrasting with Holders rather unsophisticated and rustic approach).

Wind Quintet in E-flat Major (Murray B6), Wind Chamber Music by J. S. Bach, Debussy, Janacek and Arnold, Andreas Noack (flute), Andreas Vogel (oboe), Matthias Ritter (clarinet), Carla Goldberg (horn), Stephan Hüfner (bassoon), EigenArt 10100.

Parthias in D Major (Murray B1), in D Major (Murray B3), in D Major (Murray B4), in D Major (Murray B5), in F Major (Murray B20), Consortium Classicum, CPO 999 961-2.

Wind Partita in F Major La Chasse (Murray B18), Harmonie- and Janitscharenmusik by Spohr and Beethoven, Ensemble Octophoros, Paul Dombrecht, Accent 8860.

Chamber music for wind instruments served as background music for the entertainment of the Wallerstein court. Dieter Klöckers Consortium Classicum has released a disc containing five of Rosettis many wind partitas played beautifully and with great fervor. La Chasse, one of his most spectacular pieces in this genre, receives a moving interpretation with Dombrechts famous Ensemble Octophoros. This attractive CD also contains Spohrs Janissary Music and Beethovens Op. 16 (Wellingtons Victory) arranged for a Turkish wind band, a genre fashionable in Mozarts time.

String Quartet Op. 6 No. 5 in D Major (Murray D13), Op. 6 No. 2 in E-flat Major (Murray D10), Op .6 No. 6 in F Major (Murray D14), Op. 6 No. 4 in C Minor (Murray D12), Op. 6 No. 1 in A Major (Murray D9), Op. 6 No. 3 in B-flat Major (Murray D11), Arioso-Quartet, CPO 999 338-2.

The Arioso String Quartet gives an excellent rendition of these quartets, which Rosetti wrote in Wallerstein after he became familiar with similar works by Handel and Mozart.

Sonatas for Harp in F Major, G Major, B-flat Major, E-flat Major, B-flat Major and C Major (Murray D19 - D24), Kateřina Englichová, harp, Supraphon 3495-2.

Sonatas for Harp in F Major, G Major, B-flat Major, E-flat Major, B-flat Major and C Major (Murray D19 - D24), Charlotte Balzereit, harp, Arte Nova 74321 96227-2.

Demonstrating Rosettis talent, these pieces flatter the ear with attractive melodies, and the recordings demonstrate the artistry of two female harpists. One is of Czech origin, who was a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra during the 1990s. The other presently holds the post of solo harpist with the Vienna Philharmonic. (The recording of the latter features an original Louis XVI harp.)