The genesis of Haydn’s extraordinary C major concerto for cello is inseparable from Joseph Franz Weigl, a cellist virtuoso of the Estherházy Court Orchestra, of which the composer was musical director. Although today it is one of the undisputed references in the cello repertoire, it was not until 1961 that this concert was rediscovered and edited. The technical demands of this concert live up to full lyricism and overwhelming musicality.
Robert Schumann christened his first symphony with the name Spring. His intention was to capture musically spring’s burst of energy and vivacity in the same way he had previously done with the lieder Liebesfrühling, Op. 37. In fact, each of the symphony’s movements initially bore the following titles: El començament de la primavera, (The beginning of spring ) Capaltard (Late afternoon), Alegres companys de joc (Cheerful playmates,) and Primavera en plena floració, (Spring in full bloom), clearly evocative indications of the Romantic’s fascination with nature.