Basel

The fourteenth volume of the Haydn2032 edition is entitled L'Imperiale , after the nickname given to Symphony no.53 in the nineteenth century. This was perhaps Haydn's most famous symphony during his lifetime. Premiered in the theatre at Eszterháza Palace in 1778, it was published in London around 1781, and its melodious Andante was arranged more than thirty times for various instruments between 1783 and 1820. It made a decisive contribution to Haydn’s success, opening the way for him to perform in England. Symphony no.54 , whose entertaining, theatrical style is a perfectly match for the atmosphere of the legendary court festivities given at Eszterháza around 1775, completes this programme along with no.33, one of his first festive works with trumpets, composed c.1761. In his introductory text, Giovanni Antonini revels in the ‘capricious’, whimsical character of certain passages in the last movement of Symphony No. 53 ; he also offers an alternative finale of the work at the end of the album.

The Thomaskantor position in Leipzig was one of the most important jobs for musicians in Germany in the 18th century; several important musicians applied to succeed Johann Kuhnau after his death in 1722. In the recruitment process, the Leipzig city council was able to choose from the most famous personalities of the time. The first choice was Georg Philipp Telemann, who declined however, after he had obtained a decent salary increase at his Hamburg post.

For the album "The Secret Fauré", released in 2018, the Basel Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Principal Conductor Ivor Bolton received fantastic reviews: "The music of Fauré … unfolds its attraction only gradually and very subtly, with a gentle, addictive spell can make." (NDR Kultur) In his new album, the orchestra presents a number of other orchestral and concert works by the French composer, Gabriel Fauré.

In 1656 the new Elector Johann Georg II reorganised musical life, and he attached great importance to the fact that Italians were now active in the decisive positions. Probably the most important of them was Giuseppe Peranda, who was appointed Kapellmeister by the Elector. Together with his colleague Vincenzo Albrici, he also established the new tone in sacred music, characterised by a stronger emphasis on the melodic and above all by a rhythmic liveliness previously unknown in sacred music. The Basler Abendmusiken make audible what caused so much sensation in Dresden at the time.

The voice of countertenor Franz Vitzthum resounds with lightness and clarity: its almost ‘celestial’ quality appears completely free of all ballast. How appropriate therefore is this programme for Christophorus, in which the yearning for eternal life, when the shackles of mortal existence have been thrown off, was a central theme of the German Baroque period.

This 2nd album focuses on the iconic Bologna musician musician and adds a great Soprano singer Nulia from Catalonia by illuminating the musical music as well as the voice work of the time. The 3 song voice works have an image of "air" and figuration repeatedly. In other words, the anxiety of a lover who struggle to find peace of mind as if it is moving in the air (Aria Colona), or the story of angels coming from heaven to save people (Perti's Kantha "Vieni pur con i tuoi vezzi") or Aura breathing in the sacred place (Pololo motto Aurae sacra e amati ardores) These Soprano self-chanting works are alongside the collaboration of Jusppe Trelli, born in Venice since 1684, lives in Boronia and has career as composer.