During the early Classical period, the focus of the European music world shifted. Whereas during the Baroque era Italy, France and Germany – the core areas of the courts of absolutistic rulers – had dictated the rhythm, the strengthening of the bourgeoisie was accompanied by a new music aesthetics that departed from pompous Baroque ideas. Even at Mozart’s time, Prague was considered one of the most important ‘music cities’ in the world. The composers on this album- which include Johann Baptist Vanhal, Frantisek Benda, Leopold Kozeluch, Johann Sobeck, Zdenek Fiich, and Joseph Bohuslav Foerster- also had a share in this development.