Czerny: Symphonies 1& 2 Kölner Akademie & Michael Alexander Willens

• Carl Czerny (1791 - 1857): Symphony No. 1 in C minor op. 780:
• 1 Czerny: Symphony No. 1 in C minor op. 780: I. Allegro agitato e con brio 13:18
• 2 Czerny: Symphony No. 1 in C minor op. 780: II. Andante sostenuto 07:43
• 3 Czerny: Symphony No. 1 in C minor op. 780: III. Scherzo. Vivace presto 05:55
• 4 Czerny: Symphony No. 1 in C minor op. 780: IV. Finale. Allegro vivace 08:47
• Symphony No. 2 in D major op. 781:
• 5 Czerny: Symphony No. 2 in D major op. 781: I. Andante maestoso ma con moto – Allegro vivace e con brio 15:02
• 6 Czerny: Symphony No. 2 in D major op. 781: II. Andantino grazioso un poco moto 12:02
• 7 Czerny: Symphony No. 2 in D major op. 781: III. Scherzo. Molto vivace 07:32
• 8 Czerny: Symphony No. 2 in D major op. 781: IV. Finale. Allegro vivace 09:33
• Total Runtime 01:19:52

Info for Czerny: Symphonies 1& 2

Eyewitnesses report that Carl Czerny’s living space looked like a composition factory. He evidently internalised the principles of musical composition so thoroughly during his formative years that he was able to work on several pieces at once. Through immense diligence, he amassed 861 numbered publications. These range from simple sonatinas to multi-volume textbooks. Yet hidden amongst this wealth of works are just two symphonies (opus numbers 780 and 781!), which – just like an early attempt and four further, ‘unnumbered’ works from his later period – vividly demonstrate that the master of dexterity, the Grandes Exercises, Fantaisies and brilliant rondos, knew full well what this noble genre entailed. The music is crafted to the highest standards, alternating delightfully between the dramatic and the lyrical, perfectly proportioned in form. The scherzos are astonishingly close to that of his revered teacher Beethoven – here, even the last memories of the 40 daily exercises vanish in an instant ...

“Especially as Czerny had an absolutely brilliant knack for orchestrating the key characteristics of his many idols (alongside German Romanticism, there are traces of Rossini as well as bold borrowings from Beethoven) into eventful pieces that are at times dramatically explosive and at others melodically enchanting. ​ The musicians of the Kölner Akademie, under the baton of Michael Alexander Willens, now bring out all the virtues of this music with such nuanced tone and energy that one is almost tempted to exclaim: ‘Listen to more Czerny!’” (Rondo)

The Kölner Akademie
Michael Alexander Willens, conductor

Michael Alexander Willens
music director of Die Kölner Akademie, studied conducting with John Nelson at the Juilliard School in New York, where he received B.M. and M.M. degrees. He has also studied with Leonard Bernstein at Tanglewood, as well as choral conducting with Paul Vorwerk. Willens’ broad experience has given him an unusual depth of background and familiarity with performance practice styles ranging from baroque, classical and romantic through to contemporary as well as jazz and pop music.

Mr. Willens has conducted concerts at major concert halls and festivals in Europe, South America, Asia, Iceland, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Israel and the United States, receiving the highest critical praise:

“The success of the whole owed in large measure to the uncommonly precise, yet never affected gestures of Michael Alexander Willens”.

In addition to the standard repertoire, Michael Alexander Willens is dedicated to performing works by lesser-known contemporary American composers and has conducted several world premières, many of which have been broadcast live or filmed for television. He is also keenly interested in re-discovering music from the past and has released over 40 CDs featuring this repertoire. Several of these recordings have been nominated and received awards. They have all received outstanding international reviews, : “Willens achieves an impeccably stylish and enjoyable performance.” (Gramophone ) "…conductor Michael Alexander Willens exploits every bar of the score to fullest expressive effect. (Fanfare)

He has guest conducted orchestras in Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Brazil and Israel in addition to his commitment to Die Kölner Akademie.

The Kölner Akademie
takes you on a journey through classical music: expressive, virtuosic, and exact in every detail. From the baroque to the present, the broad repertoire of this unique ensemble, under the artistic direction of its internationally renowned conductor Michael Alexander Willens, has been awarded numerous prizes.

Known and lesser known composers are impressively represented by this period instrumental ensemble.Performances at international festivals, live television and radio broadcasts in connection with their highly acclaimed CD recordings have made the Kölner Akademie well-known far beyond their national borders.

Apart from works by Bach, Beethoven and Brahms, the ensemble shows their broad musical scope in full detail, especially with their series of world premiere recordings by lesser known composers.

Booklet for Czerny: Symphonies 1& 2