Classical Music Festival

The popular summer matinees at Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt offer the opportunity to experience the music of Joseph Haydn, the father of Viennese classical music, at the original location of his work - the great composer lived and worked at the Esterházy court for over four decades. Many of his works were premiered here, and the special atmosphere of this historic place still fascinates and moves music lovers from all over the world. This also applies to the participants in the annual Classical Music Festival. For the 49th year, nearly 200 musicians from all over the world come to Eisenstadt to rehearse and perform in this historic music city. Following a week of intensive rehearsals, the musicians, which are made up of professional musicians from all over the world, perform a Haydn mass at the Bergkirche and Stephansdom in addition to the matinee performance at Schloss Esterhazy.

Paukenmesse vocal soloists: Nicole Van Every, soprano; Kimberly James, mezzo-soprano; Pawel Wolski, tenor; Todd Donovan, bass-baritone

About the program:

Der Sturm, by composer Joseph Haydn, is a cantata written for chorus and orchestra which premiered on February 24, 1792 in London during his first visit.

The Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major, Hob. VIIb/1, by Joseph Haydn was composed around 1761-65 for longtime friend Joseph Franz Weigl, then the principal cellist of Prince Nicolaus's Esterházy Orchestra

The Symphony No. 101 in D major is the ninth of the twelve London symphonies written by Joseph Haydn. It is popularly known as The Clock because of the "ticking" rhythm throughout the second movement. He wrote it for the second of his two visits to London, completing the symphony in 1793 or 1794 and premiered March 3, 1794 with Haydn’s colleague and friend Johann Peter Salomon who also served as concertmaster.