Pavel Vranicky (Wranitzky): Cello Concerto in C Major, Op. 27, Enrico Bronzi (cello)

Pavel Vranicky (Wranitzky): Cello Concerto in C Major Op. 27
Performers: Enrico Bronzi (cello, conductor), Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto

Pavel Vranický, later Germanized as Paul Wranitzky (30 December 1756 – 29 September 1808), was a Moravian classical composer. His half brother, Antonín, was also a composer.

Wranitzky was a prolific composer. His output comprises ten operas, 44 symphonies, at least 56 string quartets (some sources give a number as high as 73) and a large amount of other orchestral and chamber music.

History often dispenses fame or oblivion without any apparent reason. In fact Wranitzky, who today has to be reintroduced to the public, in his time was greatly appraised not just by the Habsburgs but by his colleague musicians as well. He was highly respected by Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven; the latter two preferred him as conductor of their new works.

Writing about Wranitzky's music in the last part of the 19th century, the famous French critic and musicologist François-Joseph Fétis recalled: "The music of Wranitzky was in fashion when it was new because of his natural melodies and brilliant style. He treats the orchestra well, especially in symphonies. I recall that, in my youth, his works held up very well in comparison with those of Haydn. Their premature abandonment of today has been for me a source of astonishment."

Todays some critics believe his more than 50 string quartets to be even better than Mozart’s, while his Symphonies (about forty of which are still available today) can match Haydn’s with no sense of inferiority.