E. T. A. Hoffmann (1776-1822) is rightly regarded as one of the great writers of German romanticism but not as one of the epoch's great composers. Nevertheless, he repeatedly attempted to earn his livelihood as a composer and conductor because for him music was the most romantic, and thus the highest, of all the arts. His more than 70 compositions, representing most musical genres, demonstrate his thorough knowledge of the compositional trade. This release features his Symphony in E flat major, his most successful musical work, and his two overtures to Undine and Aurora, all composed 1804-07.
