Spohr was born in 1784 and his Second Symphony was composed in 1820; Franz Lachner was born in 1803 and his First Symphony was composed in 1828. So though a generation separated the two men, their works appeared in the years of Beethoven's and Schubert's maturity and last years. Inevitably, strong shadows were thrown across these two works. Each composer was to go on to write more symphonies, Lachner eventually producing eight before his death in 1890, Spohr ten by the time of his own death in 1859. Both the works here recorded are enjoyable examples of the kind of symphony being written by musicians of the second rank who had been inspired by the example of Beethoven and Schubert without sensing the full implications for music of, in particular, Beethoven.
The manner is, in Lachner's case, inspired by Schubert (who had been his friend), and in more than a few touches begins to move into Schumannesque territory. There is a vigorous first movement, in which two pleasant themes are put expertly through their places, a lyrical Andante, a cheerful Scherzo and a finale that struggles a bit to maintain momentum but just about succeeds in doing so. Spohr's symphony in many ways is more original and also more expertly manufactured, with most of the thematic material deriving from the music of the opening bars. There is a fine Larghetto, a lively Scherzo and a finale that rather self-consciously tries to avoid the portentous and manages to achieve an agreeable light-heartedness. As with Lachner's work, the performance is fresh and enthusiastic, and the recording is straight-forward and sensitive. This is an interesting record of little-known music, rewarding exploration by the curious.'