Although he is best known for his innovative operas and iconic music dramas, Richard Wagner maintained a keen interest in symphonic composition throughout his career. Written in his late teens and early twenties, these two symphonies stand as a tribute to Wagner’s passion for his great idol Beethoven. The Symphony in C major absorbs the energetic fire and rhythmic dynamism of Beethoven’s Seventh and Eighth Symphonies, while the Symphony in E major was alas left unfinished at its beautifully warm and lyrical Adagio cantabile.

Richard Wagner’s symphonic and orchestral works are little known in comparison with his operatic masterpieces. This is the first of a two-volume edition of his purely orchestral works, the second of which will appear in June 2017. These recordings complement our acclaimed new Wagner Ring Cycle conducted by Jaap van Zweden, and also sit well alongside the Orchestral Excerpts set from Gerard Schwarz and the Seattle Symphony (8572767, 8572768 and 8572769).

Conductor Jun Märkl has led numerous highly acclaimed releases for the Naxos label, including his nine-volume collection of Debussy’s orchestral works: “This is bewitching music-making that should on no account be missed… One of the finest discs Naxos has ever released” (Classic FM on volume 1, 8570759), and a “sparking performance, playing the music with real verve, as if they had discovered a heretofore unknown Debussy masterpiece” (ClassicsToday.com on volume 6, 8572583).

The MDR Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra is Germany’s oldest radio orchestra and has a close association with Jun Märkl. Their recording of Mendelssohn’s Elijah (857222829) was considered “full-blooded” by BBC Music Magazine, and these forces were admired for “an ideal rich and burnished tone” (MusicWeb International) in symphonic works by Eugen d’Albert (8572805).