Allegro from GluckWV 5.1.12

Andante from GluckWV 5.1.12

Allegro from GluckWV 5.1.12

Decorated by Radio Stephansdom (CD of the Week) and Radio Ö1 (CD of the Day).

Recommended by mdr Figaro, allmusic.com, klassik.com, Kleine Zeitung and Classics Today.

Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714-1787)
Five Symphonies

L’Orfeo Barockorchester
Michi Gaigg, conductor

Symphony in G major GluckWV 5.1.12 / Chen G3 / Wq. deest ‘Weimar’
Symphony in D major GluckWV 5.1.6 / Chen D6 / Wq. deest
Symphony in A major GluckWV 5.1.13 / Chen A1 / Wq. deest ‘Regensburg’
Symphony in F major GluckWV 5.1.8 / Chen F1 / Wq. 2D.7 / 165.5
Symphony in D major GluckWV 5.1.3 / Chen D2 / Wq. 2D.4 / 165.2

first recordings

(cpo 2011)

Gaigg and the orchestra deliver the symphonies with bright timbres and vivacious playing, and the historically informed techniques and sounds of a period ensemble are faithfully produced. CPO’s exceptional reproduction makes everything crisp and clear within a suitably resonant space.
www.allmusic.com, Blair Sanderson

Gleeful Gluck
[…] The L’Orfeo Barockorchester presents the five symphonies with zest, a highly entertaining performance. […] The fresh character of this cpo recording fits into the series of newly discovered works from the 18th century, reminding us that there is a lot of interesting repertoire waiting to be discovered beyond well-trodden paths.
Klassik.com, Frank Fechter, 24 June 2011

To Gluck or not to Gluck, that is not the question
– and this doesn’t apply to the collector of rare classical works only […] These musicians love Gluck and he requites their love. With cheeky accents but also with unkempt joy in the Cantilenas this exceptional Upper Austrian ensemble presents finest detail on their latest release.
Ö1 bis zwei – Radio Ö1 CD of the Day, Helmut Jasbar, 10 June 2011

Michi Gaigg and her L’Orfeo Barockorchester convincingly prove the reknowned musicologist Ludwig Finscher wrong. According to the latter Gluck was neither inspired nor revolutionary in his instrumental compositions. […] The quality of the compositions recorded here, their versatility and the emotional depth tell another story. Undisputed at least is the exceptional interpretation. The L’Orfeo Barockorchester plays with fiery temperament, differentiated dynamics, clear articulation and considerable virtuosity.
Kleine Zeitung, Ernst Naredi-Rainer, 6 July 2011

There’s some question as to whether or not all of these works are by Gluck, but it doesn’t matter. The music is unfailingly enjoyable, the performances vigorous and full of life […] L’Orfeo plays on period instruments with results that are well above average. The winds, horns especially, are pretty terrific, and they have some impressive solo licks. The string ensemble is clean and the tone generally attractive […] This is an important addition to the Gluck discography and definitely worth the collector’s attention.
Classics Today, David Hurwitz, 9 May 2011