The convergence of Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven in the city of Vienna toward the end of the 18th century created a miraculous amount of incredible music. Mozart and Haydn became friends and were inspired by each other’s works. The young Beethoven came onto the scene, trying to find his place but knowing the musical culture was well established. And musically, the results were astounding over this short span.

Haydn wrote five sets of six string quartets each (that’s right, 30!). Mozart wrote 10 quartets, including a set of six dedicated to Haydn, and Beethoven paid homage to both composers by writing his first set of six, Opus 18. Also during this period Mozart composed his final four symphonies, Haydn wrote 23, including the twelve London symphonies, and Beethoven began his run with Symphonies 1, 2, and 3.

We will be listening to and discussing some of these quartets and symphonies of all three composers, culminating in the final week with Beethoven’s watershed Eroica Symphony #3. It was then, in 1805, when Beethoven finally broke free of the two masters who held so much influence on him. Of course he would never admit to that!