Credits:

Leif Segerstam

Description:

Beethoven first visited Viennathe city he had long admiredat the age of 16. Although he was unable to stay long on that occasion, he returned to Vienna at the age of 22, became a student of Haydn, and went on to spend the next 35 years of his life there until his death, fully enjoying his time in the city. Italian culture was in vogue in Vienna at the time, and Beethoven, who took Italian lessons from Salieri, composed several Italian arias. While these are generally considered to be practice pieces based on assignments given by Salieri, they were all dedicated to renowned singers and the children of the nobility of the time, making them valuable works that offer insight into the young Beethovens social circle. Although these duets and trios are independent works, they are dramatic and compelling pieces that evoke the atmosphere of an Italian opera. Segerstam, who has been actively recording