Dittersdorf, Carl Ditters von (1739-1799)

Dittersdorf (1739-1799) was one of the most prolific and versatile of Haydn's and Mozart's Viennese contemporaries. He wrote fluently and attractively in all genres and his symphonies, of which there are over a hundred, reveal a wealth of novel solutions to the problems of form and a subversive wit that bears comparison only with Haydn's. Although Dittersdorf's programmatic symphonies are rightly lauded for their great originality, his more orthodox works are also remarkable for their exuberant musical invention and impressive command of the orchestra. This volume contains three symphonies, one of which (Grave g1) shares a level of power of intensity comparable with Haydn's G minor symphony Hob 1:39 composed around the same time.