In Ludwig & Louise, musicians of the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra perform the Nonet in E-flat Op. 38 which was composed in 1849 by Louise Farrenc (1804–75). Despite being neither widely performed nor well known nowadays, Farrenc was a highly-regarded Paris-based pianist, composer, author and educator. She won the Prix Chartier of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in 1861 and again in 1869, and was appointed Professor of Piano at the Paris Conservatoire in 1842. She composed chamber works for many different combinations of instruments, and the nonet perfectly embodies a style and level of skill that confirms Farrenc as a significant compositional voice.
Preceding the nonet, are two charming trios by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) in celebration of his 250th anniversary. The Trio Op. 25 for flute, violin and viola and his Variations on Mozart’s beloved Là ci darem la mano aria from Don Giovanni for flute, clarinet and bassoon.