One year. Four symphonies. Four different worlds.
During the 17th century, the term "Symphony" or "Sinfonia" was usually applied to introductory music for operas, oratorios and cantatas. But gradually, during the 18th century, the symphony evolved to become the main format for independent orchestral music. The formal proportions were dramatically expanded and the instrumentation refined and extended, paving the way for the genre's dominant status in the Romantic period with composers like Beethoven, Brahms and Mahler.
This program explores the beginning of the development and presents four symphonies, all composed or performed in a single year. The program shows the enormous variety that was already present in the genre at this time. From the brilliant style of the Mannheim School, represented by Carl Stamitz, to Haydn's dramatic "Sturm und Drang", and from C.P.E. Bach's unpredictable and wildly entertaining musical language to Mozart's classical and organic colors in the A major symphony.
One year. Four symphonies. Four different worlds.