„It's the sound in particular. Nobody else has it in this way [...] . And I think it's also the way you present the music to the audience. For me, it's very important that you have very quick access to the audience.“ This is how the renowned American baroque specialist, conductor and harpsichordist William Christie describes the French ensemble Les Arts Florissants, which he has led since 1979.
The Konzerthausorchester is hosting them for the first time to perform Mozart and Haydn together - the latter fits in perfectly with the orchestra's focus on Haydn's works over several seasons. The „Litaniae Lauretanae“ KV 195 from 1774 is one of four litanies or supplications that Mozart composed in Salzburg during the course of his life. The name „Lauretana“ refers to the Marian devotion reflected in it. Due to its large orchestration and virtuoso solo parts, the work is one of the „Litaniae solemnes“ that were performed in Salzburg Cathedral. Joseph Haydn's Missa in B flat major or „Harmoniemesse“ was composed in 1802 and is the last of the six great mass compositions that - alongside The Creation and The Seasons - brought his vocal works to a crowning conclusion and his last completed composition. It was given its name because of the important „harmony-filling“ role of the obbligato wind parts.