Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) is considered both “the father of the symphony” and “the father of the string quartet”. He wrote 106 of the former, and 69 of the latter, was admired by Mozart and taught Beethoven. He was employed most of his life as a Kapellmeisetr (orchestra director) by a prince who enjoyed life in isolation in the countryside, he explained he was “forced to become original”.

Franz Schubert (1797-1828) composed over 1,500 works in his short life, including over 600 lieder (songs). Yet the A Minor “Rosamunde” quartet we will play this weekend is one of the few works which was published during his lifetime. Schubert made a living by being supported by his friends who enjoyed the musical gatherings which were later called “Schubertiads”.

Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) is one of the most influential musical figures in the 20th century. His “Rite of Spring” created riots when it was premiered in Paris in 1913, with fellow composers commenting “il est fou!” (he is crazy). In 1920, after his “Concertino” for string quartet was premiered in New York, then in Boston, no critic was left indifferent. In the video below, Igor Stravinsky admits being always ahead of his public. Yet, as illustrated by Walt Disney’s “Fantasia”, the public catches up with him…