Leopold Mozart: Die Bauernhochzeit, Musikalische Schlittenfahrt, Sinfonia burlesca

This is a very nice, simple CD. It's value is markedly historical, but nevertheless the music is good to listen to. The Ensemble Eduard Melkus plays authentic instruments, which adds fullness to the sonic experience. And precisely, due to the comments written by the author himself, we know how he thought of his instrumentation for the enjoyment of the pieces.
On Josef Starzer 10 Dances, I cannot say much; they are simple, enjoyable, unpretetntious, but well finished.
A Galleria ARCHIV CD.

Leopold Mozart

• Sinfonia "Bauernhochzeit", D
1. Marcia villanesca
2. Menuett
3. Andante
4. Menuett
5. Finale. Molto allegro
• Musikalische Schlittenfahrt, F
1. Intrada
2. Andante
3. Presto
4. Intrada
5. Schlittenfahrt
6. Andante, sempre piano: Das schüttelnde Pferd
7. Aufzug
8. Allegro
9. Intrada
10. Schlittenfahrt
11. Adagio: Das vor Kälte zitternde und schnatternde Frauenzimmer
12. Des Balles Anfang: Menuett/Trio
13. Deutscher Tanz I. Presto
14. Kehraus. Allegro
15. Pianissimo
16. Deutscher Tanz II
17. Kehraus. Allegro
18. Intrada
19. Schlittenfahrt
• Sinfonia burlesca G
1. Sinfonia
2. Hanswurst (Menuett)
3. Il Signor Pantalone (Andante)
4. Arlecchino (Allegro)

Josef Starzer

• 10 Tänze
1. Contredanse
2. Gavotte - Trio
3. Pas de deux
4. Menuett
5. Gavotte - Trio
6. Moderato
7. Gavotte
8. Menuett - Trio
9. Gavotte - Trio
10. Passepied - Trio

Haydn: Symphonies 94 "Surprise" & 96 "Miracle"

This is a simple CD. Easy listening of very courtly music. It will be quite familiar to most listeners, and one cannot go wrong giving this Decca CD as a gift.
Christopher Hogwood directs (and plays the fortepiano) the Academy of Ancient Music on authentic instruments of the period.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Symphony #96	D	"Miracle"		Adagio - Allegro Andante Menueto & Trio:Allegretto Finale: Vivace
Symphony #94	G	"Surprise" "Mit dem Paukenschlag"		Adagio -- Vivace assai Andante Menuet & Trio: Allegro molto Finale: Allegro di molto

Bizet: L'Arlesienne & Carmen Suites

What a lovely CD for a rainy working evening. Spirited, forceful, harmonious, and well-known melodies, with bright orchestration.
The London Festival Orchestra conducted by Cesare Cantieri plays Bizet's opera suites, in the Point Classic CD.

L'Arlesienne op.23 Suite #1



1. Prélude


2. Minuetto


3. Adagietto - Adagio


4. Carillon



L'Arlesienne op.23 Suite#2



5. Pastorale


6. Intermezzo


7. Minuetto


8. Farandole (Allegro deciso)



Carmen Suite #1



9. Prélude (Les Toréadors)


10. Aragonaise


11. Intermezzo


12. Seguidilla


13. Les Dragons d'Alcalo


14. Les Toréadors



Carmen Suite #2



15. Marche de contrebandieros


16. Habanero


17. Nocturne


18. Chanson du Toréadors


19. Le garde montante


20. Danse bohème

Pachelbel & Fasch

What an interesting 1968 recording of the famous Canon by Pachelbel. So sober and precise interpretation. It sublimes the piece away from the usual "cheesy" interpretations that we all have in mind about it.
The other pieces by Pachelbel (1653-1706) are rather blunt, from "dull sweetness". There is really no conflict, and the themes though nice are just like a breath.

Fasch in contrast aspires to more. He has some tempo contrast, more interesting themes. And although these pieces are quite simple, they are nice.

Overall, an interesting CD to have for light listening.

Orchestre de chambre Jean-François Paillard,
JF Paillard,
Maurice André, trumpet
Pierre Pierlot, Jacques Chambon, oboe