Two symphonies on the theme of nature come together on this new album from the Berlin Academy of Ancient Music, directed by its concertmaster, Bernhard Forck. Justin Heinrich Knecht is best remembered for his Grande Simphonie “Le Portrait musical de la Nature.” Completed in 1785, this five-movement symphonic work depicting nature predates Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony by almost a quarter of a century. It is exciting to hear these two works recorded together for the first time by a period-instrument orchestra.
Beethoven: Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral” – Berlin Academy of Ancient Music
