Sinfonia in D

The symphonies of Johann Baptist Wanhal (1739-1813), one of the most prolific and important of Haydn’s Viennese contemporaries, are among the most important works of their kind from the late-18th century. Bold and imaginative, powerful and lyrical, Wanhal’s symphonies are only now beginning to win wider recognition as the masterpieces they are. The Sinfonia D2 is one of Wanhal’s earliest symphonies and was probably composed during the years 1763-1765. Judging from the number of references to the work in contemporary thematic catalogues and the thirteen reliable manuscript copies that survive it must have been unusually popular. As is so often the case with Wanhal’s symphonies it is impossible to establish for whom the work was composed. Its bright key and full orchestration suggests that it was created for a patron who wanted the dynamic and brilliant effect typically produced by the inclusion of trumpets and timpani. The work surely did not disappoint and connoisseurs would have recognized at once that its young composer was one of the most exciting figures in European music.