West Road Concert Hall, 30 Sep 2026
There will be a free pre-concert talk at 6.30pm
Mozart, Haydn, Telemann and Philidor: four composers in a passionate age, reinventing music on the wing. A dynamic start to a season of music that defies convention.
Programme:
Mozart - Symphony No. 1 in E-flat major
Philidor - From Tom Jones: 'Ah! Ma tante, je vous prie', Act 3 Prèlude 'Respirons un moment'
Haydn - Symphony No. 39 in G minor
Telemann - Ino
Approx. 2 hours including interval
Performers:
Amanda Forsythe - soprano
Laurence Cummings - director & harpsichord
Academy of Ancient Music
They called it “sturm und drang” - “storm and stress” - and for a few tempestuous years in the 1760s, it seemed as if music itself had turned upside down. No emotion was too powerful: this was a time for child geniuses, young radicals and cutting-edge comedy – and for old dogs to learn a few new tricks, too.
Tonight, Laurence Cummings and Academy of Ancient Music dive headlong into the crucible, with a volcanic symphony from the young Haydn, the boy Mozart’s brilliant symphonic debut, and a real discovery – a very Gallic spin on a bawdy English romp from the French composer Philidor. And then, the astonishing tragedy of Ino, retold by the 84-year old Telemann in music that would dazzle a composer a quarter his age, with 2026 Grammy Award-winning American soprano Amanda Forsythe. It’ll thrill you, too.
Sung in French and German with English titles.
more about the Academy of Ancient Music
Academy of Ancient Music (AAM) is an orchestra with a worldwide reputation for excellence in baroque and classical music. Using historically-informed techniques, period-specific instruments and original sources, we bring music vividly to life in committed, vibrant performances.
More details
One of Cambridge’s premier music venues and is part of Cambridge University
11 West Road, Cambridge, CB3 9DP
01223 335 184 / wrch@mus.cam.ac.uk