On track: Mannheim rocket sparks a revival

These days the German city of Mannheim is best known as an American military base. And 250 years ago it was also famous for its rockets, but not of the missile variety.

The "Mannheim rocket" was a fond nickname for a fiery upward-thrusting arpeggio figure that its composers were much given to writing.

Johann and Carl Stamitz were among those who put Mannheim on the musical map, working with an ace orchestra and dazzling Europe with their striking use of woodwind instruments, with cliff-edge crescendos and decrescendos fit to induce palpitations.

Franz Ignaz Beck (1734-1809) grew up in this heady atmosphere.

He was a pupil of Johann Stamitz although, through a combination of amatory and other adventures, he soon settled across the border in France.

A Naxos release now lets us sample his music, with a 2001 recording of the New Zealand Chamber Orchestra in Beck's Six Symphonies Opus 1.

This is another chapter in a commitment to Mannheim music by both the record label and the Wellington-based Artaria Editions, which have published the scores.

How, then, does Beck stack up in his field?

There might be a few Mannheim rockets flying around - the liveliest are in the A major symphony - although some listeners may be reminded of Vivaldi. The Italian composer's geniality is certainly there in the general merriness of the F major symphony, with walls of tremolo that storm away as ferociously as any Vivaldi could concoct.

Don't expect the wit of Haydn or the sophistication of Mozart.

This is straight-from-the-shoulder stuff in which rough-hewn compositional tactics match up with some agreeably catchy tunes.

Only occasionally does dullness prevail, but even the sturdiest piece of two-part writing may lead to delightfully unexpected places if you take a ride.

Performances are never less than spirited, the recording is sonorous, and the players' enthusiasm shines through, although 2001 was not a vintage year for the chamber orchestra's violin section.

Among the few names in the credits are the late Stephen Managh, who produced the disc, and leader Donald Armstrong. But the lively and estimable continuo player, alas, seems fated to remain anonymous.

* Franz Ignaz Beck, Six Symphonies (Naxos 8.554071)