Sinfonia in D

Franz Beck (1734-1809), the most talented of Johann Stamitz’s pupils, led a colourful and eventful life. Fleeing Mannheim after fighting a duel with a jealous rival, he moved to Venice. After eloping with his patron’s daughter, he finally ended up in France where he lived for nearly fifty years. Beck’s symphonies have long been admired by scholars for their technical resource, startling use of bold harmonies and dramatic intensity. Probably dating from the mid-1750s, this charming little string symphony is an ideal work for a string orchestra in search of fresh and exciting repertoire.