Orchestra of the Swan & Kenneth Woods - Hans Gal: Symphony No. 1; Schumann: Symphony No. 1

Kenneth Woods and Orchestra of the Swan make musical history by completing the first-ever recorded cycle of the Symphonies of Hans G�l, pairing the composer's First with that of Robert Schumann.

Vienna-born G�l's Symphony No. 1 was written in 1927 when the composer was at the height of his powers, belying the turbulent central European events which would forever affect him in the coming years. The music is bold, uninhibited and persuasive. The writing is virtuosic and the orchestration is colourful. G�l's First Symphony reflects the essence of his compositional voice, to which he remained true throughout his nearly century-long life. As today's most committed champion of Hans G�l's music, which remained relatively dormant throughout the 20th century, Kenneth Woods has captured the imagination and introduced a new generation to G�l's wide-ranging and extensive oeuvre. He continues his coupling with the Symphonies of Gal's forebear, Robert Schumann, with the 19th-century composer's exuberant First, the Spring Symphony, composed some eight decades earlier.

Personnel: Orchestra of the Swan, Kenneth Woods (conductor)

Critical acclaim for Kenneth Wood's Hans Gal Cycle:

Hats off to conductor Kenneth Woods and his Orchestra of the Swan who have been making a case for G�l's elegantly built orchestral pieces...Here's hoping this is the beginning of a substantial G�l revival. - National Public Radio's All Things Considered

You may not have heard of Hans G�l. But the American conductor Kenneth Woods thinks you should have. - The Washington Post

A symphonic conductor of some stature. - Gramophone, Editor's Choice

A front rank conductor...[he] has seized on the essence...Highly recommended - AudiophileAudition