18th century London had never heard anything like Haydn鈥檚 鈥淢ilitary鈥� symphony 鈥� a piece so riotously entertaining that even elegant society ladies found themselves yelling with glee. And entertainment is exactly what鈥檚 on the cards when Nicholas McGegan brings his smiling brand of historically-informed musicianship to bear on an irresistibly quirky programme. Haydn鈥檚 smash-hit symphony and stormy overture frame the nymphs, shepherds and love-struck sea-gods of Jean-Marie Leclair鈥檚 Scylla et Glaucus, and set the context for the 21-year old Mozart鈥檚 masterly re-invention of the piano concerto. For the young American pianist Jonathan Biss, Mozart offers 鈥渋nsights, like a stroke of light鈥�; his partnership with McGegan promises to be especially illuminating.
Prelude: 6.45pm in the Recital Room
Nicholas McGegan introduces the works in tonight鈥檚 concert.
Post-concert Coda
(approximately 10 minutes after the main concert)
Jonathan Biss performs Beethoven鈥檚 Piano Sonata No.27 in E minor, Op.90.
