To the extent that Josef Foerster (1859-1951) is known at all today, it’s as the composer of one symphony (his Fourth), one tone poem (Cyrano de Bergerac), and one opera (Eva)–and most of all, as an FOM (Friend of Mahler). So it’s nice to have the opportunity to get to know some other pieces. These two symphonies are both very late 19th-century, conservative. The First is obviously a learning work, short, tuneful, and somewhat deficient in personality. The Second reveals Foerster’s essentially sunny disposition, which isn’t necessarily a good thing. The music has plenty of charm and is very euphoniously scored, but it’s almost completely lacking in tension. This is particularly true of the first two movements, a mellow Allegro moderato followed by a positively inert Andante.
Foerster’s inveterate lyricism may be exaggerated by a performance that’s short on muscle and rhythmic edge (especially from the brass) in those few places where it seems appropriate. Fans of late 19th-century Czech music may want this to fill out their collections, but it would be difficult to call it a priority. Given that the composer lived until 1951, it would be far more interesting to hear some further examples of the later, more mature and characterful work on which his reputation rests.
