Search - Podger, Beznosiuk :: Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante; Haydn: Violin Concertos

Mozart's father Leopold was probably the driving force behind the gloriously lyrical Sinfonia Concertante for violin and viola. Leopold advised his son to master this genre for public concerts. Organizers were keen to program it, since the work offered audiences the attractive spectacle of rivaling soloists. Meanwhile, Haydn was passing his days as court chapel-master to one of the wealthiest noble families in Hungary, the Esterhazys. Haydn composed most of his concertos (including the two heard here) during this period. Rachel Podger and Pavlo Beznosiuk duel on Strads in the Mozart whilst Podger solos in the Haydn works. All are accompanied by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.