Would have been famous if not for Mozart, Handel, Haydn

Pandora tossed the elegant Symphony in C Major  into one of my playlists recently, with the comment that its creator, Johann Baptist Wanhal, would be far more famous if he hadn’t been composing at the same time as Mozart, Haydn, and Handel.  After I’d found a link for  this symphony on YouTube, YouTube obligingly tossed up another delightful piece  by Wanhal: Concerto for 2 Bassoons and Orchestra in F major

I am so pleased to be reminded that not only are there wonderful works I’ve never heard: there are wonderful composers I’ve never heard of, either. So much beauty waiting to be discovered! 

Johann Baptist Wanhal (1739-1813), born in Nechanice, Bohemia (modern Czech Republic) lived a long, productive life (he composed over 70 symphonies, 100 quartets, 95 sacred works, and more), and died a prosperous man. Bravo, Johann!

What I’ll listen for next time

  • The structure and the themes.

More

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