French music from Sweden

Bo Hyttner, the executive producer of this recording, has a relative who once made the remarkably apt statement, "Auber is the best of those composers who sound the same." Whether he meant that Auber always sounds the same as himself, or the same as most other composers active in Paris during the middle of the 19th century is not clear, but both possibilities are accurate enough. Anyone who loves Donizetti's comic operas, Adam's Giselle, Meyerbeer, and even Offenbach will have a grand time with Auber's music.

The composer, who was born in 1782 and died as late as 1871, gave the Parisian public what they wanted: straightforward tunes, dancing rhythms, and no waiting around for either. Even when the dramatic subject is a serious one, the music smiles, even giggles. The works on this CD get right to the point. Richard Wagner was an acquaintance, and he was mystified by (yet grudgingly jealous of) Auber's skill and popularity. If Wagner only had mimicked Auber's efficiency . . . !

By now, you probably know if this CD is for you. If you need additional temptation, consider that most of the music on this CD is appearing on disc for the first time; some of it hasn't even been recorded until now. Andersson successfully walks the interpretive tightrope by taking these confections seriously, but not too seriously. The Gothenburg Opera Orchestra sometimes sounds a little hoarse and rough around the edges, but they play the music sympathetically.

Bonuses include extensive notes by Hyttner and Herbert Schneider, and splendid engineering. If you want an understanding of what Paris was like during the time of Chopin, Berlioz, and Bellini (among others), a bar from one of Auber's relatively lightweight diversions is worth a thousand words.

Brittens Music Eastbourne