French quintets

The first French chamber music societies initially set themselves the task of introducing Parisian audiences to the works of the great Viennese composers, and indeed until the 1830s there was little room for French productions. The works of George Onslow, plethoric and perfectly in keeping with the Austrian norms, were the first to be included in the concerts organised by Pierre Baillot. Later Félicien David presented his Quatre Saisons for string quintet – 24 short pieces, six for each season, written for the enrichment of the intimate evening chamber music concerts of his time. David dedicated the last set of six, Soirées d’hiver, to Onslow.