Today almost entirely forgotten, Reutter was the most successful composer of opera in Vienna during the 1730s, and the single and most influential composer of church music in Vienna for three decades, enjoying the esteem of both Charles VI and Maria Theresia.

The son of a court organist and music director at St Stephen’s Cathedral, Reutter studied with Antonio Caldara and, having returned from a period of study in Italy, was nominated imperial court composer in Vienna in 1730. He became first director of music at St Stephen’s in 1738, second Hofkapellmeister in 1747 and first Hofkapellmeister in 1769. His influential position in the musical life of Vienna led to conflicts with Durazzo and Gluck, which escalated in 1761.

Reutter is one of the few composers who composed for the Pantaleon (salterio). As Caldara had done before him, Reutter used the pantaleon as an obbligato instrument in several arias of his operas and oratorios. Our programme features four arias for obligato salterio.

With this CD, La Gioia Armonica continue the endeavours of its first CD for Ramée, dedicated to original compositions for the pantaleon by Antonio Caldara (RAM0405).