I was intrigued for some time by the possibility of getting to know some of the symphonies by Karl von Ordoñez (Carlos d’Ordoñez), after Robbins Landon’s rather gushy remarks about him in Haydn: Chronicle and Works, particularly the second volume (Haydn at Eszterhàzy), in which he says:
“He wrote about seventh symphonies which are among the most striking and original of the Viennese seguaci of Haydn’s (though, strictly speaking, Vanhal was much more a real seguace than Ordoñez, whose first known Symphony in C was already at Göttweig by 1756, thus antedating Haydn’s first work in the genre.)” (Vol. II: pg. 390)
Recently a recording was put out (part of Naxos’s wonderful “The 18th Century Symphony” series) of a number of Ordoñez’s symphonies, well played by Kevin Mallon and the Toronto Camerata. What is revealed is hardly a Haydn seguaci by any means, but a very graceful and lyrical composer who is very much, and very obviously, a kleinmeister. It’s nice music, no two ways about it — but one wonders how any of it could ever be mis-attributed as being Haydn’s (although it was.) I was somewhat expecting something a lot more interesting, I’m afraid. The recording even goes to some lengths to include all minor-key symphonies, but even then they’re a little on the tame side.
David Hurwitz, in his review for “Classics Today”, writes: “Austrian composer Karl von Ordonez (also Carlos d’Ordonez) is often mentioned in the same breath as Haydn, including him among the most noteworthy symphonists of his day. Judging from the works here, his was a minor talent. ”
Ah, well. At least he’s a very pleasant composer. It’s intriguing how many of those kleinmeisters were pleasant, lyrical composers. Undoubtedly the best of the bunch was Vanhal, who is really almost out of the kleinmeister box. I’ve also grown quite fond of the works of Johann Stamitz, one of the grand-daddies of the Viennese style. A new recording of Stamitz’s Orchestral Trios (symphonies which could be played by a string trio with continuo just as effectively as by an orchestra) confirms that he is an interesting, solid composer.
But Ordoñez has been a bit of a disappointment…mainly because of false expectations. Alas…