It likely was a complex and very time consuming decision to travel from Austria to England during the 1700’s. Carriages, poor roads, complicated issues of food and lodging, let alone crossing the water to land in England with a young child.
This 2-CD album presents an unprecedented survey of Mozart’s childhood visit to London in 1764-65.
Ian Page conducts his outstanding period-instrument orchestra in a fascinating and wide-ranging program which includes Mozart’s remarkable first symphony (composed when he was eight years old), along with his two other London symphonies and his first concert aria.
The repertoire also explores the music that was being performed in London during Mozart’s stay, including works by J. C. Bach, Thomas Arne, Abel, Pescetti, Perez, George Rush and William Bates, many of which have not previously been recorded, and the large cast of soloists includes eight singers and a harpsichordist.
Here is a documentary about this period in Mozart’s life:
