Beck: Six Symphonies, Op. 1

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Cat No: 8554071

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Release Date: 01 June 2005

Label: Naxos / Naxos Classics

Packaging Type: Jewel Case

No of Units: 1

Barcode: 636943407127

Genres: Classical

Composer/Series: BECK

Description
Franz Ignaz Beck (1734-1809)Six Symphonies, Op. 1When Franz Beck composed his first symphonies, sometime around the mid-1750s, the genre was in its infancybut it was by no means primitive. The most famousexponent of the symphony, The most famous exponentof the symphony, Johann Stamitz, director of the famousMannheim court orchestra and, coincidentally, Beck'steacher, had not only raised it to new levels of technicalsophistication but, together with a number of his giftedcolleagues, had also evolved a new and distinctive styleof writing for orchestra. Stamitz's symphonies wereimmensely popular, particularly in France. Theycirculated in both printed editions and in manuscriptparts, exerting a profound if localised influence on thedevelopment of the symphony. The presence of Stamitz,Richter, Holzbauer, Filtz and others at the Mannheimcourt created a unique musical environment that musthave been intoxicating to a young and ambitiouscomposer like Beck.Beck began his musical studies with his father,Johann Aloys, Rektor of the Choral School at thePalatinate Court in Mannheim. He studied violin, doublebass and organ, among other instruments, and displayedsuch impressive talents that the Elector Carl Theodorundertook responsibility for his education. If the accountof Beck's pupil Blanchard is to be believed, the youngmusician had to flee Mannheim after fighting a duelwith a jealous rival and believing that he had killed him.Many years later, the story goes, he learned that he hadbeen the victim of a hoax - his opponent had onlyfeigned death. This version of events is not universallyaccepted and it has also been claimed that Beck leftMannheim in rather less sensational fashion in order tostudy with Baldassare Galuppi in Venice. Whatever thecircumstances of his departure, Beck certainly did live inVenice for several years, for it was from there that heeloped to Naples with Anna Oniga, his employer'sdaughter. After his eventful sojourn in Italy Beck movedto Marseilles and became leader of a theatre orchestra.Although the date of his arrival in France is uncertain hemust have been well-known by reputation at least by thelate 1750s since four sets of symphonies were publishedin rapid succession by Parisian firms, beginning with thepresent set which appeared in 1758. The title page of thesix Op. 1 Symphonies ('Sei Overture') describe him as'Chamber Virtuoso to the Elector Palatine and pupil ofJohann Stamitz'; the Op. 3 title page adds 'and currentlyfirst violin of the Concert in Marseilles'.Beck moved from Marseilles to Bordeaux, where hewas appointed conductor of the Grand The?ótre. Histheatre duties were combined with composing andteaching. Among his most prominent pupils were PierreGaveaux, Blanchard and Boscha. In October 1774 hewas appointed organist at St Seurin, Bordeaux, wherehis improvisations were widely admired. Among themost important works of the pre-Revolutionary period isthe magnificent Stabat Mater, which was given its firstperformance at Versai
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