In 1760s and 1770s Paris, Saint-Georges was surrounded by symphonists, such as his mentor Jean-François Gossec and friend Simon Leduc. Orchestral concerts featured symphonies by local composers, by Mannheim symphonists such as Carl Stamitz and Christian Cannabich, and by visitors, including Mozart, whose 1778 visit included a warm reception for his ‘Paris’ symphony.

Saint-Georges also played or conducted most of the Paris premieres of Haydn’s symphonies in the 1770s and 1780s which gave him ...