One year. Four symphonies. Four different worlds.
During the 17th century, the term "symphony" or "sinfonia" was usually used to refer to introductory music for operas, oratorios, and cantatas. However, gradually, during the 18th century, the symphony developed into the most important format for independent orchestral music. The formal proportions were dramatically expanded and the instrumentation refined and likewise expanded, paving the way for the genre's dominant status in the Romantic period with composers such as Beethoven, Brahms, and Mahler.
This program explores the beginnings of this development and presents four symphonies, all composed or performed within a single year. The program demonstrates the enormous variety that already existed 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.
1774 – The Year of the Symphony
The Queen's Hall, The Black Diamond, Copenhagen
1774 – The Year of the Symphony
Wurtzburg