Beethoven – Rejcha – Haydn

Vojtěch Spurný is a musician utilising a historically informed approach in his performances. It is therefore to be expected that his approach will steer the expression and sound of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra in this direction as well, although of course the artists use modern, not period instruments like specialised ensembles do. An interesting item on the programme is undoubtedly Piano Concerto by Antonín Rejcha, one of many Czech musicians who were seeking opportunities across Europe in the 18th century. His pieces for wind instruments, especially from his time in Paris, have earned themselves a place of extraordinary importance – he is even considered the true founder and pioneer of the wind quintet genre. He became a real innovator in composition, reaching an expression almost fully crossing the border into musical romanticism. He was also an important teacher: his pupils included Hector Berlioz, César Franck, Charles Gounod and Franz Liszt, among others. Haydn and Beethoven were also in a teacher–pupil relationship. Although the young, ambitious Beethoven may have later declared that he had “never learned anything from Haydn”, it is undeniable that Haydn’s contribution as an artist, particularly his hundred symphonies and eighty quartets, is truly foundational and exemplary. When he moved to Vienna in 1790 after the death of his employer Nikolaus Esterházy, he apparently intended to lead a quiet life, but eventually headed for Britain. His two trips there made him a celebrity across Europe. Perhaps that is why he did not have as much time as his pupil Beethoven would have hoped for at the time.

Programme:

• Ludwig van Beethoven: Leonora I, overture, 10 min.
• Antonín Rejcha: Piano Concerto in E flat major, 22 min.
• Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 98 in B flat major, 28 min.