Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
English Chamber Orchestra conducted by Howard Griffiths.
I - Allegro: 0:00
II - Andante: 2:27
III - Tempo di Minuetto: 6:59
Stalder's Symphony in G major was written circa 1756, being the fifth in a set of six symphonies (or "sinfonias" as they were called back then), being influenced by the Milanese school. The composer, whose full name was Joseph Franz Xaver Dominik Stalder, is an extremely obscure musical figure from Lucerne, Switzerland. He adopted the name "Giuseppe" to improve his working opportunities. He worked variously in Mainz, London and Paris between the 1750s-60s and was also appointed capellmeister to the Princes of Monaco and Conti. Ill-health compelled him to return home to Lucerne in 1762 at the age of 37. He was there upon made the organist at St. Leodegar’s, but died three years later.
In stylistic terms, Stalder’s music is pre-Classical, and his numerous instrumental works bear dedications that attest to his being acquainted with influential figures. Only a portion of Stalder’s oeuvre remains extant today. Many of his compositions have been lost, and he himself descended into obscurity not long after his untimely death. Of four sets of six symphonies (making a total of 24) only two have been recorded so far. The Symphony is an early classical work, musically situated in the Gallant period; a transition between the late Baroque and the emerging Classical style, and with an unusual instrumentation: It is scored for strings (violins I and II, Violas and Cellos) and two natural Horns in E-flat.
The first movement is structured over the Baroque ritornello principle. It begins with a rhythmic and lively ritornello figure, presented by strings. There is no real development nor contrasting material as such, but slight variations of the ritornello figure before the allegro ends with a firm coda.
The second movement, scored for solo strings, is structured in binary form (A-A-B). It opens with a melodic and elegant theme on violins, unfolding with some dynamic contrast and brief modulations. The first part is then repeated. The second section delves more into more sudden harmonic (minor and major) and dynamic (forte and piano) contrasts. The andante then suddenly ends without a coda.
The third movement is a monothematic minuet. It begins with a graceful and rhythmic theme presented by violins, which is then repeated. There is no trio nor contrasting section, but a brief transition leads to a slight variation of the minuet, ending in a stately way.
Picture: "The Early Breakfast" (c. 1752) by Genevan painter Jean-Étienne Liotard.
Musical analysis written by myself. Sources: tinyurl.com/29wyacqp and tinyurl.com/22qvbvyd
Thanks to @RobertoPintos for making this music available, check the original video if you will: tinyurl.com/29prxcvb
Unfortunately, the score isn't available.
English Chamber Orchestra conducted by Howard Griffiths.
I - Allegro: 0:00
II - Andante: 2:27
III - Tempo di Minuetto: 6:59
Stalder's Symphony in G major was written circa 1756, being the fifth in a set of six symphonies (or "sinfonias" as they were called back then), being influenced by the Milanese school. The composer, whose full name was Joseph Franz Xaver Dominik Stalder, is an extremely obscure musical figure from Lucerne, Switzerland. He adopted the name "Giuseppe" to improve his working opportunities. He worked variously in Mainz, London and Paris between the 1750s-60s and was also appointed capellmeister to the Princes of Monaco and Conti. Ill-health compelled him to return home to Lucerne in 1762 at the age of 37. He was there upon made the organist at St. Leodegar’s, but died three years later.
In stylistic terms, Stalder’s music is pre-Classical, and his numerous instrumental works bear dedications that attest to his being acquainted with influential figures. Only a portion of Stalder’s oeuvre remains extant today. Many of his compositions have been lost, and he himself descended into obscurity not long after his untimely death. Of four sets of six symphonies (making a total of 24) only two have been recorded so far. The Symphony is an early classical work, musically situated in the Gallant period; a transition between the late Baroque and the emerging Classical style, and with an unusual instrumentation: It is scored for strings (violins I and II, Violas and Cellos) and two natural Horns in E-flat.
The first movement is structured over the Baroque ritornello principle. It begins with a rhythmic and lively ritornello figure, presented by strings. There is no real development nor contrasting material as such, but slight variations of the ritornello figure before the allegro ends with a firm coda.
The second movement, scored for solo strings, is structured in binary form (A-A-B). It opens with a melodic and elegant theme on violins, unfolding with some dynamic contrast and brief modulations. The first part is then repeated. The second section delves more into more sudden harmonic (minor and major) and dynamic (forte and piano) contrasts. The andante then suddenly ends without a coda.
The third movement is a monothematic minuet. It begins with a graceful and rhythmic theme presented by violins, which is then repeated. There is no trio nor contrasting section, but a brief transition leads to a slight variation of the minuet, ending in a stately way.
Picture: "The Early Breakfast" (c. 1752) by Genevan painter Jean-Étienne Liotard.
Musical analysis written by myself. Sources: tinyurl.com/29wyacqp and tinyurl.com/22qvbvyd
Thanks to @RobertoPintos for making this music available, check the original video if you will: tinyurl.com/29prxcvb
Unfortunately, the score isn't available.
