"(...) After studies at the Piarist gymnasiumin České Budějovice, Jírovec went off to study law in Prague. The rich musical life in the metropolis greatly inspired the student, who was fascinated by the level of the sacred music as well as by the opera production in the Estates Theatre. When finances for his university studies began to run out, he left Prague and entered the services of Count Franz Fünfkirchen in Chlum u Třeboně. This move opened up new possibilities to Jírovec - for the castle orchestra he wrote new works calling for larger forces so that over time he produced the Six Early Symphonies. (...) brought him recommendations from a patron of music in Brno, Count František Troyer, which served to provide him a favorable reception into Viennese society. (...) was introduced to the public in Vienna and won acclaim. (...) he decided to move on. He became the secretary and musical teacher of the Roman Prince Ruspoli. His entry into his service entailed a tour in the company of the prince around Italy (...) In an effort to acquire professional schooling in composition, Jírovec studied for two years in Naples (...) travelling to Milan, Genoa and Marseilles, he arrived in Paris (...) In October 1789, Jírovec went off to London, where successful perfomances of his works had preceded him. (...) After years spent in the foremost music centers of Europe, he had mixed feelings about Prague, and even his reception into aristocratic circles did not measure up what he was accustomed to. (...) Jírovec is a representative of the last wave of migration of Czech musicians active in Vienna. In spite of his Czech origins, he considered himself to be a German composer using a German for of his name, Adalbert Gyrowetz. (...)"
[Dagmar Henžlíková in the booklet]
Vojtěch Matyáš Jírovec (Adalbert Gyrowetz) (1763-1850):
Symphony in E flat major, op.18
Symphony in D major, op.9
Symphony in E flat major, op.8
The Southern Bohemian Chamber Orchestra (Jihočeská komorní filharmonie)
Jan Talich - conductor
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