Méhul made his name at the time of the French Revolution, and provided music for Napoleon’s Paris, rapidly becoming France’s foremost composer. Although Méhul was best known in his day for his operas, which were ranked alongside those of Beethoven and Cherubini, his four complete symphonies marked the re-birth of the French symphony. The first two are energetic, virtuoso works, which show the influence of Mozart, Haydn and early Beethoven yet speak with an individual voice.