London circa 1760

Germans in London

After the death of his father, Johann-Sebastian, Johann Christian Bach left Germany and settled for a long time in England, as a musician for Queen Sophie-Charlotte von Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the wife of King George III.

Bach then met Karl Friedrich Abel, one of the last great virtuoso viol players and the two friends were to play an important part in the London musical scene by founding the Bach-Abel Concerts in 1765. This programme highlights a little-known repertoire focused on pre-classical German music played in London during the reign of King George III of Hanover, including quartets by Johann-Christian Bach and trios by Karl Friedrich Abel.

  • Serge Saitta, traverso
  • Stéphanie Paulet, violin
  • Florence Bolton, viola da gamba
  • Benjamin Perrot, theorbo
  • Clément Geoffroy, harpsichord