THÉODORE GOUVY (1819-1898): Symphony No. 2 in F, Op. 12, Paraphrases symphoniques, Op. 89, Fantaisie symphonique.

Description: A look at recording dates shows that this disc was recorded before cpo released their first Gouvy disc - in case you were wondering how things like this happen. The 1849 symphony is still Mendelssohian, as the other three Gouvy symphonies on cpo have proved, but there's also a goodly bit of Beethoven in it too. The Paraphrases are Gouvy's last orchestral work, from 1886, and comprise a theme, twelve variations and a fugue which last 14 minutes and move purposefully along with variation of tempo, rhythm and orchestration like Brahms' Haydn Variations. The Fantaisie is an orchestration of the op. 69 Fantasie for two pianos (1879) and is, in effect, a three-movement symphony in typical Gouvian style. Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen; Thomas Kalb.