Gregor Joseph Werner (1695-1766) is virtually unknown today, but held the post of Director of Music at the court of Prince Esterhazy for over 30 years. The chief reason for his subsequent neglect was his successor at court, Joseph Haydn, who supplanted the reputedly obstinate composer in his old age under somewhat problematic circumstances and clearly outshone his predecessor in all ways. The older composer had however been highly regarded by his contemporaries as is testified by the numerous copies made of his works.

His “Musical Instrumental Calendar” dating from 1748 is a collection of entertaining and at times witty and curious miniatures associated with The Seasons ordered according to individual months, including depictions of farmers, shepherds, layabouts, croaking frogs, thunderstorms and even an earthquake.