Born to a peasant family in 1739, Johann Baptist Vaňhal became one of the most important and popular composers working in Vienna in the 18th century. Though not ambitious for high position, fame or fortune, Vaňhal’s talent for reacting to changing social and economic conditions, as well as musical fashion, made him the first major composer of the time to earn a comfortable living without any official appointment or patronage. His vast output includes quartets, sacred works, chamber and instrumental music, as well as around 80 symphonies.

With their captivating melodies and dashing rhythms, as well as echoes of Haydn and Mozart, the four symphonies on this disc are an excellent introduction to Vaňhal’s brilliantly inventive symphonice style. It is little wonder that they were instant hits with Viennese audiences of the day.