Johann Wilhelm Wilms, born in 1772 near Cologne, made his career in the Netherlands. His name reappeared in the catalogs of record publishers as a contemporary of Beethoven when they became interested in this “Dutch Beethoven”. The Concerto Köln recorded the Symphonies nbone 6 et7 for Archiv and there are two releases, including a symphonic one, at CPO. Wilms composed seven piano concertos, two of which, late, are lost. This leaves five scores composed between 1796 and 1820, which Wilms played himself. Three are recorded here on a superb McNulty pianoforte by Ronald Brautigam, who has just inaugurated the new fortepiano in Bourgie Hall. Bis and Brautigam’s experience makes it very realistic to record the orchestra with this quiet but refined instrument. Wilms’ style is somewhere between Haydn and Beethoven, whose visceral ardor he lacks. This publication comes especially at the right time to cleverly prolong the recent one of Eberl’s quartets on Solo Musica.
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