25 August 2011
The Genius of Early Mozart, The Chamber Orchestra at St Paul's, Melbourne Recital Centre
Mozart’s later works are well-known – the symphonies, concerti, operas and the Requiem – but where did it all start and why was the genius of this child instantly recognized wherever he went?
Following sell-out concerts in Leipzig, Berlin and Melbourne last year, Michael Woods and The Chamber Orchestra at St Paul's returned to Melbourne Recital Centre for four concerts on August 21, 23 and 24. These were rare performances of some of Mozart’s brilliant early symphonies. The first, fourth and fifth symphonies are 3-movement symphonies, full of wonderful melodies and orchestral interaction. They are all very correct in their written form (1st movement sonata form with the obligatory modulations, 2nd movement binary form with repeats and 3rd movement 3/4 rondo form). The sixth symphony is relatively mature - four movements, with a minuet for the first time in a Mozart symphony as well as a substantial 4th movement in 6/8 with repeats. The flutes are also used for the first time. These are not what might generally be considered as the simple works of a child. Instead, they already contain complex musical ideas and are not easy to play well.
These MRC performances were embellished by a narrator who told the story of Leopold Mozart's three and a half year Grand Tour with his children - through the German states, France, England, the Netherlands and Switzerland and then on to Vienna and Olmutz. The tour was arduous and, alongside opportunities to meet with royalty and aristocracy, there were times of considerable hardship and life-threatening illness.
The performances were spirited and the orchestra played quite brilliantly. Audience feed-back was very positive, so it seems that this introductory early-Mozart project has been really worthwhile.
Program
Mozart Symphony no. 1 in E flat major, K 16 (London) age 8
Mozart Symphony no. 4 in D major, K 19 (London) age 8
Mozart Symphony no. 5 in B flat major, K 22 (The Hague) age 9
Mozart Symphony no. 6 in F major, K 43 (Olmutz) age 11
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