The Dresden Manuscripts

A lifelong study of the music of Johann Hasse by conductor David Wilson has culminated in his superb new book, The Dresden Manuscripts: Unearthing an 18th Century Musical Genius. Hasse’s music achieved great popularity during his lifetime, only to be overshadowed later in history by other composers, especially Mozart. Dr. Wilson’s important and illuminating focus on the Dresden manuscripts will certainly be a springboard for conductors and musicologists to further examine the entirety of Hasse’s oeuvre to rediscover other gems, particularly among the masses and operas, many of which will be found worthy of reentering the repertoire. David Wilson has produced a revelatory work of refined scholarship that will deepen our knowledge of this important yet oft-neglected Baroque composer.