MARTYNA PASTUSZKA
Musica Princeps
{oh!} Orkiestra Historyczna | Martyna Pastuszka
Wherever there’s a prince there’s music! Especially the kings and counts of the Baroque epoch set their hearts not only on resplendent palaces and gardens, but also to a glorious culture of music which reflected in sound their sovereignty and power. Maximilian II Emanuel of Bavaria for instance was noted as an ardent connoisseur and patron of the arts, who shied no expense to employ the best composers of the time at his court. He was also a patron of the Italian violinist and composer Michele Maschitti, who later gained renown and reputation most of all in Paris. Here, between 1704 and 1738, he published 116 works – most of them sonatas for violin and basso continuo. Wilhelmine of Bayreuth herself took lessons, among others with Johann Pfeiffer, who remained in Bayreuth until his death and made a major contribution to music culture at Wilhelmine’s court, which was famed far beyond the land’s borders. Maximilian II Emanuel’s grandson Maximilian III Joseph of Bavaria loved music too, but did not have the money to retain the musical grandeur of his ancestors. Instead, he gained prominence himself as a composer, endowing the world and himself twelve trio sonatas for two violins and basso continuo.
Along with the musicians of the {oh!} Orkiestra Historyczna ensemble founded in 2012 the Upper Silesian violinist Martyna Pastuszka lets the musical splendour of the Bavarian princely courts resound anew.
