Ferdinand Hiller - Symphonies in E minor & C major (Howard Griffiths)

Information

Composer: Ferdinand Hiller

• Symphony in E minor HWV 2.4.3
• Symphony in C major HWV 2.4.6

Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester Frankfurt

Howard Griffiths, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: CPO

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With the conclusion of their critically acclaimed recording cycle dedicated to Ferdinand Hiller (1811–1885), conductor Howard Griffiths and the Brandenburg State Orchestra Frankfurt present the earliest and latest of the composer's four surviving symphonies. The Symphony in E minor, composed when Hiller was just twenty years old, bursts with passionate, youthful exuberance. In contrast, his final symphony, written forty-five years later, exudes the refined confidence of an established master. This definitive release offers listeners an aesthetically rich journey through Hiller’s career, blending nostalgic nods to contemporaries like Mendelssohn and Schumann with remarkable, forward-thinking harmonic marvels.

Howard Griffiths (b. 1950) is a British-Swiss conductor with a distinguished international career, acclaimed for his dynamic artistry, commitment to contemporary music, and support of young talent. Trained at London’s Royal College of Music, he has lived in Switzerland since 1981. He served as Artistic Director of the Zurich Chamber Orchestra (1996–2006) and General Music Director of the Brandenburg State Orchestra Frankfurt (2007–2018), leading acclaimed tours, award-winning recordings, and innovative education projects. Griffiths has guest-conducted leading orchestras worldwide and collaborated with renowned soloists and composers such as Gubaidulina, Pärt, and Henze. With nearly 200 recordings, including praised Brahms symphonies, he continues to champion both classical repertoire and emerging artists, notably through projects with the Orpheum Foundation.