The importance of Georg Christoph Wagenseil (1715-1777) in the development of the classical symphony cannot be underestimated, and his concertos were also significant in the...

The importance of Georg Christoph Wagenseil (1715-1777) in the development of the classical symphony cannot be underestimated, and his concertos were also significant in the formation of the style of early Viennese classicism. As its chief representative, Wagenseil unites Italian, French and German stylistic elements in his works, as was typical of the 'mixed style' of the early 18th century. Moreover, he is considered one of the perfectors of the gallant-sentimental stylistic epoch which became so essential for the formation of classicism in 18th-century music history. The Six Quartets for Low Strings occupy a special position in the chamber music of Wagenseil, simply by virtue of their unusual scoring and the type of classical four-movement quartet that was just coming into being. The two upper parts can be performed by either two cellos or two violas, as desired; the lower parts are played by a cello and a double bass. Both variants, equally attractive in sound, can be heard on the present double CD. The Piccolo Concerto Vienna under the direction of the double bassist Roberto Sensi introduces music to us that is notable, not least - alongside its music-historical significance - for a typically Viennese quality: charm.