Luogo e data di registrazione		-
	Registrazione: live / studio		studio
	Edizione LP		AMADEO - AVRS 6365 - (1 lp) - durata 41' 55" - (p) 1966 - Analogico
	Altre edizioni LP		MUSICAL HERITAGE SOCIETY - MHS 639 - (1 lp)
	Prima Edizione CD		-
	Note		Stereo compatibile

The famous Imperial country palace of Schönbrunn was the residence of the Austrian Court and therefore a centre of Vienna's musical life, especially in the 18th century, Mozart's presentation to the Empress Maria Theresia at the age of 6 gave rise to hundreds of anecdotes. Haydn and Dittersdorf were also among the many other composers who were closely associated with Schönbrunn. Johann Michael Haydn, overshadowed by the undoubtedly greater genius of his elder brother Joseph, was soon forgotten, but during his lifetime he enjoyed a great reputation and filled some important posts. In 1762 he was Musical Director at the Archbishop's Court in Salzburg and leader of the orchestra, and it was not until the French occupation of Salzburg in 1800 that his active and successful career was brought to an end. If his Masses no longer mean very much to modern audiences, his considerable output of symphonies, concertos and chamber music are admirable examples of early classical music. The Symphony in D maior, written shortly before 1778, is a typical early classical work, short and compact. A slow introduction leads to an opening movement in sonata form, followed by an Andante in the form of a Lied and an abbreviated Rondo in which the influence of Mozart’s polyphonic finales is clearly discernible. Just as Michael Haydn’s music was eclipsed by his brother's genius, so Joseph Haydn`s own minor works have been relegated to the background by his masterpieces. It is only in recent times, with new works coming to light almost every year, that these lesser works have begun to enioy widespread popularity, a typical example being the present Overture to the comic opera "L'infedeltà delusa", a "burletta per musica" written in 1773 for Maria Theresia`s visit to Esterhaza. It is in the form of a miniature symphony in three movements. Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf is another early classical composer who is still too little known. He was born and bred in Vienna and held a number of posts at minor Courts. He was chiefly known for his numerous "Singspiele" but his instrumental works are just as numerous and delightful, and are admirable examples of the early classical, or rather late rococo style that is so typical of the later half of the l8th century. Alfons Übelhör (Translation; Richard Rickett)