Credits:

Dowland / Quartet Ajaton

Description:

The Stamitz family was at the height of its power in Bohemia in the 18th century. Among them, Johann is regarded as the founder of the “Mannheim School” (Karl, known for his chamber music, is Johann’s son). ) His more than 50 symphonies were written not in the three-part sinfonia (rapid-modal-rapid-rapid) style derived from Italian overtures, but in a four-movement form with a minuet inserted, a new experiment at the time that anticipated Joseph Haydn. It is also known for its contribution to the development of the sonata form, and the heavy use of wind instruments in the orchestra, which gave the work a modern sound, for example, by adding a fuller tonal range. This album contains five symphonies from around 1750. Considering that Haydn began composing symphonies at the end of the 1750s, it is clear that Stamitz was ahead of his time.