Review: The "Joan of Arc" Symphony by Moszkowski

Who knew that virtuoso pianist/composer Moritz Moszkowski (1854-1925) wrote a big, programmatic symphony based on Schiller's retelling of the Joan of Arc story in his play The Maid of Orleans? Well, here it is; and while it does have its dull spots, it turns out to be, on the whole, a colorful, ambitious, and engaging work. As volume one in Toccata Classics' proposed series of Moszkowski's complete orchestral music, you couldn't get off to a better start. If you enjoy romantic symphonic novelties, this well played and well engineered release is certainly worth considering.