Spohr, Symphonies Nos. 2 and 9, Alfred Walter, Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra

We have another volume today of the complete Spohr (1784-1859) symphonies by Alfred Walter and the Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra. The volumes originally came out on Marco Polo in the '90s and are happily becoming available on Naxos. This one includes Symphonies Nos. 2 and 9 (the latter his last) (Naxos 8.555540). Posterity has not been very kind to these works. Compared to, say, Brahms or Mendelsson's celebrated symphonies, these Spohr works have been left in the dust. And yet it turns out these are attractive symphonies indeed, so far in my experience of the cycle anyway.

His "Symphony No. 2" is an ambitious work with traces of the influences of Haydn's "London Symphonies" or early-mid Beethoven. The first movement, a minor allegro, has surprising power and gravitas.

The 9th is an appealing symphony based on the seasonal cycle. It too has plenty of well planned, moving music in the post Beethovenian mode.

Once again the performances and sound are first-rate. Spohr was no slouch! I look forward to more. In fact another volume is coming up for review here and I hope the last volumes as well.