Ode aan het strijkkwintet

This programme features string quintets by composers who played a crucial role in the development of chamber music in the seventeenth century. The Venetian court composer Giovanni Valentini (1582?-1649), brought innovative rhythms and chromaticism to the court of Ferdinand II and III, where he served as Kapellmeister. His pupil, Antonio Bertali (1605-1669), introduced Italian opera seria to Vienna and composed music characterised by virtuosity and a rich, opulent style. Johann Heinrich Schmelzer (1620-1680), an Austrian violin virtuoso, was a key figure in the development of violin technique and had a great influence on the music of his time, especially within the Viennese tradition. Johann Jakob Löwe (1628-1703), a pupil of Valentini and Bertali, brought Italian influences to the German courts, where he excelled in the composition of chamber music. You will also hear music for string quintet by Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767), one of the most prolific composers of the eighteenth century. His compositions in this program illustrate his ability to combine Italian and German musical styles.

The works in this programme have been handed down via various historical sources, such as the handwritten Partiturbuch Ludwig and the extensive Düben collection. These collections contain valuable music manuscripts from the 17th century, compiled by court musicians and preserved in libraries such as Uppsala.