Beethoven's World: Salieri, Hummel, Vorisek

The Everest that is Beethoven has often obscured the many fine composers who form lesser peaks in the same mountain range. Enter this trio, all of whom knew Beethoven, and each with something worth saying. Antonio Salieri, the villain of myth, was a highly accomplished composer and a hugely admired teacher. His variations on the ever-popular melody “La Follia di Spagna” are a total delight (especially the one with a prominent part for harp). Johann Nepomuk Hummel’s double concerto is a joyous classical cat-and-mouse game for violin and piano. Jan Václav Voříšek closes this stylishly played programme with his wonderful mercurial symphony.