Vienna’s cultural magnetism was unrivalled in the late 18th century. This program explores works presented in the finest Viennese salons, such as that belonging to the famous patron of Beethoven, Gottfried van Swieten.

Mozart’s friend, Hoffmeister, became one of Vienna’s most popular and enterprising musicians. Interestingly, as one of the most influential music publishers of the time, he printed works by all of our featured composers. His flute quartet in C minor will make for a stormy start to the evening. Mozart’s quartet K449, dedicated to Hoffmeister, earned Mozart praise at the time for its ‘fire of the imagination’, and is still considered to be one of his finest.

Albrechtsberger, a teacher of Beethoven, was influential in Vienna. This underrated composer’s string quartet is an overlooked gem, with a fugue rivalling even those of Haydn’s Op. 20 quartets.

Arguably one of the most extraordinary Viennese soirées ever, included Haydn, Mozart, von Dittersdorf and our last featured composer, Vanhal, a prolific Bohemian composer. We end this program with his resplendent flute quintet in B flat major.