This concert features works by Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) along with compositions by his three older contemporaries. Born in Lower Austria, Gregor Joseph Werner (1693–1766) was a composer, conductor and organist and was Haydn’s predecessor at Eszterháza. In 1728 he was appointed leader of the court orchestra and remained in the service of the aristocratic family until his death. His music rich in contrapuntal elements is representative of the mature Baroque style. The Music Collection of the National Széchényi Library preserves a significant portion of his manuscripts. Burano-born Baldassare Galuppi (1706–1785), trained by Antonio Lotti, was an important representative of Venetian Baroque and successful opera composer who was productive in many other genres, too. His fame spread throughout Europe, from London to St. Petersburg. Born into a leading musical family in Bohemia, Franz Benda’s (1709–1786) younger brother Georg was similarly a significant composer. Franz worked in Vienna, Warsaw, Dresden and Potsdam – here (the final station of his career) he enjoyed the patronage of the enthusiastic flute player Frederick the Great. Il Gardellino Orchestra were formed in 1988 under the leadership of oboist Marcel Ponseele and flautist Jan De Winne. The Flemish period early music ensemble have attained some of their greatest successes playing works by, for example, Fasch, Graun, Händel, Janitsch, Telemann and Vivaldi.
