This new Alba release presents a sampling of the large collection of printed scores amassed by Finnish clergyman Anders Chydenius (1729-1803), an amateur musician who with his ensemble held twice-weekly concerts at the vicarage in Kokkola. The selections here are all impressive and quite enjoyable, offering music ranging in style from late baroque to early classical. Gaetano Pugnani’s virtuoso Quartet for Orchestra and Antonio Rosetti’s Flute Concerto are the two longest works, and they form the musical bookends of the program. In between come Christian Ernst Graaf’s idyllic Flute Quartet, Franz Xaver Richter’s spirited Sinfonia (which forms the centerpiece of the program), and Antonio Sacchini’s appealingly tuneful String Quartet. The assembled soloists and ensembles provide immaculately played, stylish performances, all captured in full-bodied, vibrant sound. Anyone who fancies instrumental music from this period shouldn’t hesitate to give this unusual disc a listen. It’s really exceptionally well done in all respects–one of the few “concept” CDs that really works. [6/29/2004]
