Freiburg Baroque Orchestra: Bohemian Symphony

Leopold Kozeluh:
Symphony in G minor op. 22 no. 3

Anton Kraft:
Concerto op. 4 in C major for cello and orchestra

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:
Symphony in D major K. 504 Prague

Nicolas Altstaedt, cello
Freiburger Barockorchester
Gottfried von der Goltz, violin & conductor

In the second half of the 18th century, Vienna was the undisputed musical capital of Europe. In the second half of the 18th century, Vienna was the undisputed musical capital of Europe and attracted musicians and composers from all over the world. However, the dominance of the Danube metropolis makes us forget that another musical center flourished not far from Vienna: Prague. Even Mozart and Haydn composed for the Czech capital and thus contributed to the city's rich musical life. Local composers, on the other hand, always remained in the shadow of the two Austrian masters.

In the concert program "Bohemian Symphony", the FBO dedicates itself to the composers Leopold Kozeluh and Anton Kraft alongside Mozart's Prague Symphony KV 504. While Kozeluh was particularly known for his rousing symphonies, Kraft was regarded during his lifetime as a highly virtuoso cellist who, like Joseph Haydn, was in the service of Prince Nikolaus I Esterházy. It is therefore no wonder that he incorporated this virtuosity, coupled with elegant melodies, into his Concerto for Cello in C major op. 4.

This is the first time that Kraft's cello concerto has been performed in a concert by the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra and the first time that the internationally renowned cellist Nicolas Altstaedt, who requested Kraft's composition especially for this program, has made a guest appearance.