Vanhal Klavierquartette #1 in EsDur, Allegro moderato
J.B. Vanhal (1739-1813), best known perhaps as quartet partner of Haydn, Mozart and Dittersdorf and prolific composer of chamber and orchestral music, was a pioneer in the genre of the piano quartet. At the turn of the century, the form was still relatively new; indeed comparative analyses of Vanhal's and Mozart's works in the genre, reveal much similarity and points of obvious exchange between the composers.
This world premiere recording of Vanhal's piano quartets Op. 40 has been hailed as definitive ("Gustostueck" for early music buffs) and a significant enrichment to the repertoire. Performed by Richard Fuller, fortepiano and Peter Zajicek, Peter Kiral, & Jan Greiner (Musica Aeterna Bratislava). Musica 790 034-2.