1765: Times of Transition

They called it “sturm und drang” - “storm and stress” - and for a few tempestuous years in the 1760s, it seemed as if music itself had turned upside down. No emotion was too powerful: this was a time for child geniuses, young radicals and cutting-edge comedy – and for old dogs to learn a few new tricks, too. 

Tonight, Laurence Cummings and Academy of Ancient Music dive headlong into the crucible, with a volcanic symphony from the young Haydn, the boy Mozart’s brilliant symphonic debut, and a real discovery – a very Gallic spin on a bawdy English romp from the French composer Philidor. And then, the astonishing tragedy of Ino, retold by the 84-year old Telemann in music that would dazzle a composer a quarter his age. It’ll thrill you, too.