Dittersdorf: Sinfonias on Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Vol 1

Richard Gibson.
MH351WI
Dittersdorf: Sinfonias on Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Vol 1
"Die vier Weltalter"
(Naxos Music Library)

Dittersdorf’s "Die vier Weltalter" has four movements: the Larghetto, Allegro e vivace, Minuetto con garbo and the Finale: Prestissimo – Allegretto. The Larghetto runs for 4:15, the Allegro e vivace runs for 5:20, the Minuetto con garbo last for 3:37 and the Finale: Prestissimo-Allegretto ends at 4:22 for a total time of 18:03. It consists of a full symphony.
Upon first listen I think it is a very charming piece. The Larghetto starts melodious and tranquil, countered by the up beat Allegro e vivace. Dittersdorf masterfully brings you to a middle ground between the two with his Minuetto con garbo. Flowing lines and wonderful legato leave you unsuspecting for the Finale: Prestisimo-Allegretto. It begins with a foreboding setup that makes you suspect that something is going to go horribly wrong. Dittersdorf maintains that feel for quite some time then brings you down to calm you and slowly builds to the powerful finale.
It is hard for me to see why this has been left out of the Canon. It is a beautiful piece, masterfully written. Its lines are precise, the melodies are soothing and the build up is extravagant. It truly does take you through a journey with the music just like how Ovid did when he wrote Metamorphoses, and is that not what composers try to do when honoring a work like Ovid’s Metamorphoses? You start out feeling like you are watching someone on a nice peaceful walk enjoying the scenery and enjoying life. Then the phrases repeat and you can feel the person overflowing with peacefulness.
The work then jumps into the Allegro e vivace and you have the feeling that something may go wrong in the future. You see your imaginary person start to look frantic and worried searching for some sign of what is going on. Then Dittersodorf takes it onto a brisk paced jog to search for the answers. It truly makes you hope that everything is going to be alright, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat with anticipation. He then lulls you into his confidence later on in the Allegro e vivace but something still keeps your anticipation there. Rightfully so, because Dittersdorf takes you on the same path that you traveled with your character before. Frantically searching trying to find whatever answers you can to prepare yourself for what you feel is going to be awfully bad news.
The composer now brings in something a little different, almost like a new character. It is almost like Dittersdorf brought in an antagonist to lead your innocent character down the path he should be following. The lines keep up your suspicions and you can tell that the same things are being repeated to your character to help lessen the suspicions. It works with an almost sleep like trance.
But then the bad news really strikes with the Finale: Prestissimo-Allegretto. The foreboding chords that are struck sound out as true evil and peril and make you hope for safety. Yet, immediately after them, the horns sound out in heroic fashion to tell you that either someone has come to help or that your character is the hero/heroine. There seems to be a short fight with beautiful climaxes in the music with what seems to be all of the instruments sounding out in such a fashion that you can visualize the dramatic fight that is taking place. Then the fight is done and peace is restored with your hero as the victor. Dittersdorf takes you to the reconciliation after the fight and back to the same peaceful walk that you were journeying through with your friend. All is settled in this imaginary land and you can rest easy knowing that good has overcome evil.
I sincerely do believe that this belongs in the canon of classical music. It has everything a person would want in it to take you through a fun little journey effortlessly. It is a magnificent piece of music that should be heard by all musicians and also by everyone who calls themselves music lovers. It should be heard by more than that, but those at least should get the word out about Dittersdorf and his wonderful work of "Die vier Weltalter."
This piece shows that the Classical era changed dramatically from the Baroque period. Its layering and integration of different instruments was amazing and it really helped to build up the emotions of the piece. His ideas to help keep the suspense were equally as enticing with the constant reminder of diminished chords with the onset of the Allegro e vivace. This was a dramatic piece with constant contrast and forward motion. It never stayed in one place for too long and the phrases didn’t repeat too much to the point of boredom, which often times happens with the baroque period movements. Again I reiterate that this piece should belong in the classical music Canon so that everyone in the world can have first hand knowledge of its genius.