Newell Jenkins in music by Zelenka

Well! This must be one of the first recordings of the music of Jan Dismas Zelenka made on these shores. Early music pioneer Newell Jenkins leads his Clarion Concerts Orchestra in sparkling performances of these Telemannesque pieces recorded circa 1966.

When you think about it, there really hasn't been much of a renaissance for Zelenka, much like we have had with Telemann. For a composer who was admired, and held in high esteem, by both Bach and Telemann this seems a bit odd. He was an inventive writer and seems to have "pushed the envelope" at times so one would think that a more comprehensive appraisal would be forthcoming but alas, this has not been the case. In Zelenka's music one can hear the freshness of Telemann and the forthrightness of Handel while also catching the glimpses of the classical period which was right on the horizon.

Jenkins serves up this program with zest, vigor and scrupulous attention to period performance practice. This is an engaging program and one wishes that an additional work, maybe another ouverture, could have been included on the program. No bother, what is here is a fine slice of the talent of one Jan Dismas Zelenka.

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Music of Giovanni Battista Sammartini with Newell Jenkins conducting

A while back, I posted a Dover reissue of conductor-musicologist Newell Jenkins leading music of Boccherini and Cambini. At the time, there was quite favorable feedback so I thought I'd offer another Jenkins momento, this time being music of Giovanni Battista Sammartini. Jenkins was instrumental in resurrecting Sammartini from oblivion and the former edited much of this composer's work during the 50's and 60's.

Sammartini's work inhabits that period between the late baroque and early classical stage, as musical styles were changing, rather dramatically in my opinion. This music, diifferent them a baroque sinfonia or suite, is quite easy on the ear and tuneful even if it does not meet the inspirational levels of say a Stamitz family member or Haydn. What is important is that Sammartini was an important figure in the development of the symphony as he sought a foundation for the symphony on sonata form and away from the Italian-French overtures beloved of the Baroque period. One could say that Sammartini as a theorist was more vital than Sammartini the composer, an argument that could be made for Sammartini's direct contemporary Johann Friedrich Fux. Still, Sammartini's music is engaging enough to warrant a listen and Jenkins was certainly a devoted and tireless advocate.

Jenkins leads the Orchestra Accademia dell'Orso in these performances. It is a solid, if by no means exceptional ensemble much like the Angelicum Orchestra that Jenkins also led in numerous performances. The recording is mono and my issue is the Dover pressing, though the Period Records cover is pictured above.

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Newell Jenkins and the Orchestra Academia dell'Orso in Boccherini and Cambini

Here's another fine Dover offering: Newell Jenkins conducting the Orchestra Academia dell' Orso in the Symphony in C major and Cello Concerto in D major, Op 34 of Boccherini and the Sinfonia Concertante No 1 in C major for Oboe, Bassoon and Orchestra of Giuseppe Cambini. I must say that Cambini is new to me and I'd characterize his music as Salieri light, enjoyable but hardly memorable.

Newell Jenkins was for many years the director and inspiration for New York's Clarion Concerts. Dr Jenkins introduced many late baroque and classical works to the US and also performed valuable scholarship on the music of the 18th century. I don't believe that the orchestra here is Italian based as the soloists do not have Italian surnames. My guess is that this orchestra is a New York pickup group of some sort, maybe even the Clarion Concerts orchestra using another name for contractural purposes. Perhaps someone can enlighten me further on this? Anyhow, enjoy!

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