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Relax and round off the week with Hadyn’s light and charming ‘Sinfonia concertante in B-flat major’.

A sinfonia concertante is a concerto with more than one soloist, and combines the form of a concerto and a symphony. Composed on his first trip to London in 1792, Haydn’s ‘Sinfonia concertante in B-flat major’ features four solo instruments: violin, cello, oboe and bassoon.

It is believed that Haydn was encouraged to write the work by impresario Johann Peter Salomon, as rival composer Ignaz Pleyel had had success with similar works. At the work’s highly successful premiere in March 1792, Salomon was the lead violinist in the solo group. The work has remained a favourite with audiences ever since.

This performance took place in Prichard Jones Hall, Bangor in March 2018 during our Welsh tour, and features Rachel Podger (Director/violin), Alice Neary (cello), José Luis Vegara (oboe) and Jarosław Augustyniak (bassoon).