Boyce: Symphonies Nos. 1-8, Op. 2

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William Boyce's eight Symphonys (his own spelling) aren't symphonies in the modern sense, but a collection, issued for concert use, of overtures he had composed over nearly 20 years for theatre... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 More…

Release Date: 14th May 1987
Catalogue No: 4196312
Label: DG Archiv
Length: 59 minutes

Boyce: Symphony No. 1 in B Flat Major

Work length7:17

$3.30

$4.50

The English Concert
Trevor Pinnock
Recorded: 1986-06
Recording Venue: St. John's, Smith Square

I. Allegro (I)

Track length2:42

$1.10

$1.50

II. Moderato e dolce

Track length2:36

$1.10

$1.50

III. Allegro (II)

Track length1:59

$1.10

$1.50

Boyce: Symphony No.2 in A major

Work length6:09

$3.30

$4.50

The English Concert
Trevor Pinnock
Recorded: 1986-06
Recording Venue: St. John's, Smith Square

I. Allegro assai

Track length3:37

$1.10

$1.50

II. Vivace

Track length1:07

$1.10

$1.50

III. Presto Allegro

Track length1:25

$1.10

$1.50

Boyce: Symphony No.3 in C Major

Work length5:18

$3.30

$4.50

Trevor Pinnock (director)
The English Concert
Trevor Pinnock
Recorded: 1986-06
Recording Venue: St. John's, Smith Square

I. Allegro

Track length2:42

$1.10

$1.50

II. Vivace

Track length1:17

$1.10

$1.50

III. Tempo di Minuetto

Track length1:19

$1.10

$1.50

Boyce: Symphony No. 4

Work length6:43

$3.30

$4.50

The English Concert
Trevor Pinnock
Recorded: 1986-06
Recording Venue: St. John's, Smith Square

I. Allegro

Track length3:14

$1.10

$1.50

II. Vivace ma non troppo

Track length1:29

$1.10

$1.50

III. Gavot (Allegro)

Track length2:00

$1.10

$1.50

Boyce: Symphony No. 5 in D major

Work length7:53

$3.30

$4.50

The English Concert
Trevor Pinnock
Recorded: 1986-06
Recording Venue: St. John's, Smith Square

I. Allegro ma non troppo-Allegro assai

Track length4:26

$1.10

$1.50

II. Tempo di Gavotta

Track length1:39

$1.10

$1.50

III. Tempo di Minuetto

Track length1:48

$1.10

$1.50

Boyce: Symphony No.6 in F major

Work length6:49

$2.20

$3.00

The English Concert
Trevor Pinnock
Recorded: 1986-06
Recording Venue: St. John's, Smith Square

I. Largo - Allegro - Largo

Track length4:15

$1.10

$1.50

II. Larghetto

Track length2:34

$1.10

$1.50

Boyce: Symphony No.7 in B flat major

Work length9:14

$3.30

$4.50

The English Concert
Trevor Pinnock
Recorded: 1986-06
Recording Venue: St. John's, Smith Square

I. Andante-Spirituoso

Track length4:36

$1.10

$1.50

II. Moderato

Track length2:44

$1.10

$1.50

III. Jigg (Allegro assai)

Track length1:54

$1.10

$1.50

Boyce: Symphony No.8 in D Minor

Work length10:07

$3.30

$4.50

The English Concert
Trevor Pinnock
Recorded: 1986-06
Recording Venue: St. John's, Smith Square

I. Pomposo - Allegro

Track length4:55

$1.10

$1.50

II. Largo Andante

Track length1:57

$1.10

$1.50

III. Tempo di Gavotta

Track length3:15

$1.10

$1.50

Reviews
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Reviews

2010

William Boyce's eight Symphonys (his own spelling) aren't symphonies in the modern sense, but a collection, issued for concert use, of overtures he had composed over nearly 20 years for theatre pieces and court odes. They represent English 18th-century music at its unpretentious best, notably in their formal unorthodoxy. The performances are a delight – cleanly articulated, decisive in rhythm, just in tempo. The French overture-like movements that open Nos 6 and 7 are crisp and brilliant; the more Italianate first movements, like those of Nos 2 and 4, have a splendid swing. And the tone of gentle melancholy behind the fine, expansive D minor first movement of No 8 is particularly well caught. Three of the symphonies have middle movements marked Vivace, which often leads conductors into unsuitably quick tempos; but Pinnock obviously knows that, in 18th-century England, Vivace meant a speed not much above Andante, and for once these movements make proper sense: they're lively, to be sure, but not fast. This disc comfortably surpasses any rivals in both style and accomplishment. The sound of the modestsized band is brightly and truly reproduced.

Boyce: Symphonies Nos. 1-8, Op. 2

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