The album explores music from Vienna during the reign of Maria Theresa, who became empress in 1740 and initiated significant reforms.
Instruments
A single-action pedal harp by Jacob Hochbrucker was presented to Emperor Charles VI in Vienna in 1728 and became a standard instrument in major European cities.
Historical Context
The imperial change of throne in 1740 marked the end of state-controlled musical patronage in Vienna, leading to a decline in court-sponsored representative works.
Historical Context
Maria Theresa's reforms in Vienna included making education, culture, and wellbeing accessible to all social strata, not just the nobility.
Compositional Technique
Wagenseil's compositions show a transition from Baroque to Classical forms, with his instrumental sonatas often featuring a second theme, a characteristic of classical sonata form.
Instruments
The pedal harp, invented by Jacob Hochbrucker, allowed harpists to raise string tuning by a semitone using pedals, simplifying chromatic playing.
Composer Biography
Georg Christoph Wagenseil, a Viennese composer, harpsichordist, and music teacher to the Imperial Family, held influential positions at court during a period of upheaval.
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