This podcast episode brings to life the music scene in Mannheim in 1777 where the 21-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart had ventured with his mother with the aim of developing his career. The extensive correspondence between family members richly reveals the cultural scene in Mannheim. We tell this story through a sampling of musical works by Mozart and his composer colleagues and selected readings from the family missives.

Written, narrated, and produced by Suzanne Stumpf and Daniel Ryan
 

A video version of this episode can be seen here.

(in background) W.A. Mozart: Allegro from Quartet in D Major for flute and strings, K. 285
Christian Cannabich: Andante from Quartet in A Minor for flute and strings, op. 1, no. 4
Ignaz Holzbauer: Andante assai from Sonata da Camera in F Minor
Johann Baptist Wendling: Allemande (Presto) from Trio in D Major, op. 5, no. 6 
(in background) W.A. Mozart: Adagio from Quartet in D Major for flute and strings, K. 285
Josef Myslivecek: Andante from Divertimento in A Major
W.A. Mozart: Rondeau from Quartet in D Major for flute and strings, K. 285

An exploration of the life and musical interests of Thomas Jefferson during the time he was in Paris in the 1780s, serving as a trade minister for the fledgling United States. This episode features varied instrumental selections by five prominent composers whose works Jefferson is known to have heard. Video version includes beautiful period paintings and illustrations of 18th-century Paris and of the fascinating featured personalities in this episode.

Written by Daniel Ryan and Suzanne Stumpf
Narrated by Suzanne Stumpf

A video version of this episode can be seen here

Discover music by Enlightenment-era composers who were both musicians and scientists (most with interest in astronomy) as well as works by other 18th-century composers inspired by star-gazing. Video version includes beautiful musical iconography of the period, paintings of various featured personalities, astronomical renderings, and more!

Written by Daniel Ryan and Suzanne Stumpf
Narrated by Suzanne Stumpf

A video version of this episode can be seen here.

Vauxhall in the outskirts of London was the scene of captivating outdoor concerts and public gatherings in the 18th century. Through tuneful English songs and brilliant symphonies and concertos by star composers Arne, Handel, J.C. Bach, and Hook, interspersed with anecdotes from the period, this podcast brings this festive atmosphere to life.

Written by Suzanne Stumpf and Daniel Ryan; narrated by Suzanne Stumpf

A video version of this episode can be seen here.

Although Washington was not a musician himself, he was a great appreciator of music and a fine dancer. This podcast is an exploration of the music George Washington heard at his Mount Vernon home.

Written and narrated by our Research and Marketing intern Fiona Boyd, with research by Kaylan Stevenson, Daniel Ryan, and Suzanne Stumpf

Works performed include "Washington's Minuet" by P.-L. Duport, a minuet for harpsichord by Lully, a piano concerto by Theodore Smith, a violin and piano sonata by Maurer, a flute quartet by Pleyel, and "Washington's Gavotte" by P.-L. Duport.

Performers include Suzanne Stumpf, flute, Sarah Darling, violin, Daniel Ryan, cello & harpsichord, and Michael Bahmann, fortepiano

This podcast explores the musical activities of the American Moravians, who were German-speaking communities established in the eighteenth century in Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Music and music-making pervaded nearly every facet of their community life. Learn about the early American composers from these communities who wrote some of America's first chamber music.

Works performed include the Trio in D Minor, Op. 3 no. 2 by John Antes, the String Quintet no. 4 in C Major by Johann Friedrich Peter, and the Quartet in C Major op. 1, no. 6 by Joseph Haydn.

Performers include Suzanne Stumpf, flute, Julia McKenzie, Stephen Marvin, Christian Day Martinson, and Hilary Walther Cumming, violins, Marcia Cassidy and Dana Maiben, violas, and Daniel Ryan, cello.

A sampling of chamber music works from the Berlin Singakademie archives, an important collection thought lost during World War II but recently recovered.

Musical works include Johann Joachim Quantz's Quartet in D Major and Quartet in E Minor, C. P. E. Bach's Trio Sonata in Bb Major, and Gottlieb Muffat's Harpsichord Concertto in C Major.

Performers include Suzanne Stumpf, flute, Christina Day Martinson, violin, Marcia Cassidy, viola, Daniel Ryan, cello, and Michael Bahmann, harpsichord.

An introduction to the musical interests of Thomas Jefferson and the music he collected and performed with his family and friends.

Works performed include the traditional fiddle tune "Love in a Village," Johann Schobert's Sonata in Bb Major for keyboard and violin, Antonio Campioni's Trio Sonata in C Major, Arcangelo Corelli's Violin Sonata in C Major, and Maria Cosway's Ogni dolce.

Performers include Suzanne Stumpf, flute, Julia McKenzie, violin, Daniel Ryan, cello, Michael Bahmann, harpsichord, and Pamela Dellal, mezzo-soprano.