Following the Protestant Reform of the 16th century, Geneva became a recognized intellectual and religious centre. Attracting an important community of foreign nobility, the city did not stray from European artistic trends. As from the middle of the 17th century, Genevese amateurs, travelers and aristocrats congregated in "music concerts”. During one of these, it was decided in 1717 to found a concert society that would have at its disposal a hall in the Town Hall where, for over a century, Genevese musicians and passing artists would perform. The city could now count on an orchestra, imperative for the interpretation of the contemporary repertoire. Far from limiting itself to patrician salons, musical practice spread amongst the middle class and the world of well-to-do artisans, offering work opportunities to music masters, instrument makers, even music engravers. Geneva’s geographical situation as well as its prosperity account for the visit of well-known international musicians who found here an opportunity to play and teach. Coming from various countries and cultures, these musicians contributed to the development of a flourishing musical life in Geneva on par with the great European stylistic trends.
Gaspard Fritz (1716-1783) is the most famous of the Genevese musicians. Between 1742 and 1772 he published, in Geneva, Paris and London, five volumes of sonatas and symphonies which, endorsed by Locatelli and Handel, earned him international fame. Nicolas Scherrer (1747-1821) came from a family of musicians that were particularly active in Genevese musical life in the 18th century: his father was the renowned organ factor Samson Scherrer, his brother Jean-Jacques was, like himself, composer, music master and organist; as for his sister Suzanne, she ran a music engraving workshop. Friedrich Schwindl (1737-1786) was probably born in Amsterdam, but lived in Geneva between 1773 and 1778, being extremely active as music master, composer and performer. He is mostly known for his symphonies, several of which were performed in the “Concerts Spirituels” in Paris. These works show great refinement and embrace the musical aesthetics of the period bridging Baroque and Classicism. © SM/Qobuz