Symphony Op. IV No. 1 in D major
Symphony Op. IV No. 2 in E major
Symphony Op. IV No. 3 in F major
Symphony Op. IV No. 4 in C major
Symphony Op. IV No. 5 in E major "Pastorella"
Symphony Op. IV No. 6 in D minor

Conductor Simon Gaudenz and the Neuss Chamber Academy, a self-managed orchestra, make a very compelling case for the symphonic music of François-Joseph Gossec (1734-1829). A French composer who was born two years after Haydn's birth, and outlived Beethoven by two years. So one could say that he was a central figure within the "classical" era, and it could even be argued that he was the instigator of the "symphonic" form based on the time these early works were written. But let's not forget that Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, 20 years his elder, had also composed symphonies. One innovation that could be credited to Gossec, is the inclusion of horns and woodwinds within the orchestration of these early symphonic works. Something that I'm sure would have influenced both Haydn and Mozart who would have heard Gossec's music.

François-Joseph Gossec was born in Belgium. He spent most of his youth singing in church choirs, mastering various instruments and learning composition. He moved to Paris around the age of sixteen, where he quickly established a reputation as a composer, writing over 50 symphonies. Like Haydn and Mozart his music is elegant, lightly textured and upbeat (notice the major mode's predominance). Innovative touches, like independent movement in the bass line (first movement of No. 5 for example) must have seemed bold and revolutionary at the time.

I'm not aware of any other recordings of these six symphonies being available at the present time. So if you consider the "classical" style the epitome of music, this recording deserves shelf space in your collection. The audio recording is pristine, the playing by this modest 22 member orchestra is delightful to hear, and the detailed and pinpoint accuracy by conductor Simon Gaudenz enhances the music's joyful character.