1765: Times of Transition

Mozart, Haydn, Telemann and Philidor: four composers in a passionate age, reinventing music on the wing. A dynamic start to a season of music that defies convention.

They called it “sturm und drang” - “storm and stress” - and for a few tempestuous years in the 1760s, it seemed as if music itself had turned upside down. No emotion was too powerful: this was a time for child geniuses, young radicals and cutting-edge comedy – and for old dogs to learn a few new tricks, too.

Tonight, Laurence Cummings and Academy of Ancient Music dive headlong into the crucible, with a volcanic symphony from the young Haydn, the boy Mozart’s brilliant symphonic debut, and a real discovery – a very Gallic spin on a bawdy English romp from the French composer Philidor. And then, the astonishing tragedy of Ino, retold by the 84-year old Telemann in music that would dazzle a composer a quarter his age. It’ll thrill you, too.

Programme
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphony No 1 in E-flat major
François-André Danican Philidor Arias from Tom Jones
Joseph Haydn Symphony No 39 in G minor
Georg Philipp Telemann Ino

Performers
Amanda Forsythe soprano
Academy of Ancient Music
Laurence Cummings director & harpsichord