Bach as the basis

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart studied counterpoint – albeit only in spirit – with the very best: Johann Sebastian Bach. He discovered Bach’s Wohltemperirte Clavier at the Sunday salons of Baron van Swieten, and arranged parts of it for string quartet. His other great master was fortunately still alive and even became a good friend: Joseph Haydn, a pioneer of the modern symphony. Vanhal started his symphonic oeuvre in thoroughly Baroque fashion, but gradually came to embrace the Sturm und Drang. And in his own way, Dittersdorf, too, managed to keep up with the difficult to predict tastes of the demanding Viennese audiences. Incidentally, the four gentlemen are said to have once formed a string quartet, with Haydn and Dittersdorf on violin, Mozart on viola and Vanhal on cello. Brace yourself for their symphonic reunion tour!