In addition to his influence as a pianist and leading keyboard composer in Vienna, the Bohemian Leopold Kozeluch wrote an important body of symphonies that rank among the most significant of their time. The four examples here, heard in original, corrected editions, show consummate mastery of proportion, instrumental control and thematic development and all exude characteristic freshness and sophistication. The Symphony in B flat, titled L'Irresolu is especially noteworthy not only as his most unusual work in the genre but for it's sheer boldness of expression. Volumes 1 and 2 can also be heard on Naxos.
