Richard Hol (1824-1904) was a leading figure in Dutch music during the 19th century. The son of an Amsterdam milkman, he graduated from the Royal Music School in 1844 and went on to become a nationally famous composer, conductor, organist, pianist, and teacher. Hol composed a large body of choral and vocal music, an opera, and a comparatively small number of orchestral works, including four symphonies. Both symphonies on this disc bear the influence of mid-19th-century German composers (particularly Schumann and Mendelssohn), but Hol’s own voice is readily discernible. The Symphony No.1 (1863) begins with a slow introduction leading to a Schumanesque allegro with a very catchy second subject melody. The slow movement’s theme is beguiling as well and is reminiscent of the Offenbach of Gaité Parisienne. A “hunting” scherzo in the style of Berlioz forms the third movement, and the symphony ends with a tarantella that reprises the second movement’s theme.
The Symphony No. 3 (1884) is similar in layout but is more harmonically complex and not so brimming with singable tunes. Its outstanding features are the scherzo, subtitled “Erinnerung an Mendelssohn”, and the Nachtmusik, a Schubert-like andante with two scherzo episodes. Matthias Bamert once again succeeds at presenting convincing accounts of unfamiliar scores. The Residentie Orchestra The Hague (which performs much neglected Dutch music) does the composer proud with its expert performances. Chandos provides superlative sound for this delightful release.
