The half-century between the premières of Beethoven’s Ninth and Brahms’s First Symphonies saw the emergence of numerous composers who, even if they failed to achieve the ultimate greatness, left a body of work which is distinctive and thought-provoking. Among the most idiosyncratic of these is Franz Berwald, whose life was a catalogue of passing successes and lasting disappointments, made the more striking, and ironic, by his successful embracing of notably differing careers.

The orchestral works included here provide considerable insights into a creativity which was to extend over fifty years. Born in Stockholm on 23rd July 1796, Berwald was playing in public as a violinist from his tenth year, and in October 1812 embarked on a restless sixteen-year spell as member of the Royal Opera orchestra in the capital. He was already composing apace, and a benefit concert in January 1818 was a not inconsiderable success