Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra Nonet | New Perspectives

BEETHOVEN SEPTET & LOUISE FARRENC NONET | NEW PERSPECTIVES
LOUISE FARRENC Nonet in E flat major, Op.38 (1849)
BEETHOVEN Septet in E flat major, Op.20 (1800)

In the first half of the 19th century, music moved out of the palaces of Europe and into its living rooms, with an explosion in publishing houses making the latest works accessible to everyone from princes to paupers. As with so many developments in music, Beethoven was at the centre of things: his Septet was a huge critical and popular success, and demand for the sheet music was a great boost to his publisher’s business. And it is easy to see why: it takes all the easy charm of a serenade or divertimento, two hugely popular formats at the time – think Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik – and features some exquisite writing.