Baroquestock presents:
The Happy Haydn Chicken Meal Experience
Istante Ensemble
Entry Requirements: none
P. Wranitzky - Sextet No. 6 in D Minor
F. J. Haydn - Symphony No. 83 in G Minor, "La Poule"
P. Wranitzky - Divertimento No. 2
We bring Haydn's chicken dream to life with this programme, featuring the best loved of his Paris symphonies, La Poule, complemented by rarely heard but tasty chamber music by his contemporary Paul Wranitzky.
Haydn’s Paris symphonies are among his most brilliant works, full of elegance and warmth, yet marked by the composer’s characteristic ingenious wit. Widely known as 'The Hen', symphony No. 83 in G minor is the second of Haydn’s six Paris symphonies. Written in 1785, it takes its name from the clucking second subject in the first movement, played by the oboe and flute.
A Moravian by birth, Wranitzky was a well-known figure in Haydn’s Vienna, respected as a violinist and a composer. Haydn asked him to lead the first Vienna performances of his "Creation", and Beethoven made the same request for the premiere of his first symphony. Wranitzky was a prolific composer in his own right, having composed 10 operas, 44 symphonies, and more string quartets than Mozart. It is interesting to see how he ‘amplified’ Haydn's compositions, adding performance indications and dynamics, moving melodies or phrases around to other instruments, and adding new parts altogether, especially for the horns.
Wranitzky’s Divertimento No. 2, published by Andrè in 1800, is written for an ensemble of nine, a nonet: something quite unusual for the time. Wranitzky’s nonet comprises a flute, oboe, two horns, two violins, viola, cello, and contrabass. Wranitzky’s takes Haydn’s String Quartet Op.71 No. 2 as the foundation for his divertimento. This interest in slightly unusual chamber groups is also exemplified in his sextet, which is the first piece on our programme. A flute and an oboe join a string quartet which has, surprisingly, two violas instead of two violins. This exciting performance might perhaps be its premiere in London!
The price of the concert includes a chicken box meal of delicious BBQ'd chicken and salads.
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Istante Ensemble
Istante is a European chamber ensemble formed by a new generation of period-instrument professionals drawn together by a common spirit of inquisitiveness and historical awareness. Its individual members perform internationally with prestigious period-instrument ensembles such as the English Baroque Soloists, Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Academy of Ancient Music, Europa Galante, Concerto Italiano, La Chambre Philharmonique.
Owing to its diverse cultural background, as well as its sensitivity to the specific musical idioms of each age,Istante is able to accompany audiences on a sweeping musical journey, with repertoire ranging from the late Renaissance to the present day. Its flexible formation allows for interesting and diverse programme combinations, balancing well-known classics with more original and often neglected works.