In Pro Musica Rara’s final concert of their gala 40th anniversary season, Baltimore's premier early music ensemble performs the music of Mozart, Beethoven, and forgotten masters of the era who journeyed and plied their trade throughout the palaces of Europe on March 29, 2015 at 3:30 p.m. at the Towson University Center for the Arts. There will be a pre-concert talk at 2:30 p.m.

German fortepianist Christoph Hammer, hailed as a "poet of the fortepiano," has played on original, historic pianos all over Europe. Recently, he performed on a piano once belonging to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in Salzburg. This instrument was made by Anton Walter (1752-1826), the most famous Viennese piano builder of the era, and has been preserved at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. The fortepiano, the forerunner of the modern piano, was invented in Italy around 1700, and evolved drastically over the next century and a half. Mozart was one of the first keyboard soloists to prefer the piano over the harpsichord. He had the opportunity to play instruments by many fine makers, but strongly preferred the Walter. The instrument to be played at Pro Musica Rara's concert on March 29 is a replica of a piano by Anton Walter by R.J. Regier of Freeport, Maine.

Travel was an arduous and dangerous undertaking in eighteenth century Europe, but musicians found it necessary to make these journeys in a never-ending search for patronage and a better livelihood. Mozart traveled extensively as a child but his premature death prevented capitalizing on his fame as an adult. Haydn waited until he was over sixty before setting out for England to be feted as the most famous composer in the world. The concert will include well-known trios by Mozart and Haydn, an early cello sonata by Beethoven, and some pianistic rarities for solo piano featuring Mr. Hammer. He will be joined by Cynthia Roberts, violin, and Allen Whear, cello.

Pro Musica Rara is a period instrument chamber music ensemble performing baroque, classical, and early romantic repertoire. Founded in 1974, its musicians include Baltimore area professionals, early music specialists from throughout the eastern seaboard, and world-renowned guest artists. PMR presents an annual subscription series at Towson University Center for the Arts and offers pre-concert lectures, master classes, and open dress rehearsals for students. In recent years, PMR has also given performances in important area venues such as the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore Museum of Art, Peabody Conservatory, and the National Gallery in Washington, D.C.