Sir Roger Norrington, the principal conductor of the Zurich Chamber Orchestra, is renowned for establishing and cultivating a historical performance style, notably by avoiding constant vibrato.
Album & Artwork
The idea for this album, featuring works by Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven, was inspired by a historical coincidence involving Haydn receiving Mozart's 'Figaro' material on the day the French Revolution began.
Performer Biography
Pianist Sebastian Knauer has performed in over fifty countries on four continents since his concert debut at age fourteen, including major venues like the Berlin Philharmonie and Lincoln Center New York.
Performer Biography
Sebastian Knauer founded his own festival, 'mozart@augsburg', in 2012 in Augsburg, a German city connected to Mozart, which focuses on Mozart's music.
Historical Context
Haydn and Mozart were Freemasons, which meant they were committed to the ideals of tolerance and free personality development, reflecting the spirit of the Enlightenment.
Composer Biography
Beethoven, at eighteen, was deeply influenced by new progressive thinking and became a passionate follower of the French Revolution, even attending lectures by a professor who called for the fall of old despots.
Instruments
Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven were all keenly interested in innovations in piano manufacturing, with Haydn even recommending a new Wenzel Schantz fortepiano to a friend.
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Hummel & Beethoven: Klavierkonzert
Kalkbrenner: Piano Concerto No. 1 - Hummel: Piano Concerto No. 4
Beethoven: Concerto No. 4 for Piano and Orchestra in G Major, Op. 58 and Mozart: Concerto No. 25 for Piano and Orchestra in C Major, K. 503
