Creativity, openness to new musical horizons, and zest: such were the personal traits that earned Bohemians the reputation of being the Mediterraneans of Central Europe...

Creativity, openness to new musical horizons, and zest: such were the personal traits that earned Bohemians the reputation of being the Mediterraneans of Central Europe and enabled them to occupy top positions throughout the European musical world of the eighteenth century. The Mannheim Court occupied the center of this musical universe, and it was there that Franz Xaver Richter, along with Johann Stamitz, rose to prominence and paved the way for Viennese classicism. - Dabringhaus & Grimm