THE Czech composer, Pichl (17411805) was better known in his time as a violinist and director, and it was out of his friendship with Carl Von Dittersdorf, who first employed him in this dual capacity in a private orchestra in Romania, that his compositional inclinations developed. Around 1768-69, he composed a group of nine symphonies inspired by the Muses. This CD comprises the four written after 'Calliope', 'Melpomene', 'Clio' and 'Diana'. Each work displays a flair for melodrama, not unlike Mozart but even more like Dittersdorf. Well interpreted and performed.

Karen Dervan