Mozart in the City

Mozart was the ultimate urban composer – totally at home in the social whirl of the city. And from the sounds of his letters, life in 18th-century Vienna was as hectic as it is in 21st-century Sydney.

Work, parties, family, shopping… squeezing in a concert can be tricky at the best of times. Which is why Mozart in the City is designed to give you an hour’s musical respite in the heart of the week, at a convenient time and venue.

This year Mozart meets the Russians, with music by four of his most ardent admirers from the 19th and 20th centuries: Arensky, Shostakovich, Stravinsky, and his biggest fan of all, Tchaikovsky.

FOUR EARLY EVENING CONCERTS WITHOUT INTERVAL AT CITY RECITAL HALL ANGEL PLACE THURSDAY | 7PM

Subscription & Dinner package
Please note that the subscription and dinner package is currently only available through our Box Office on 8215 4600 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm). We apologise for any inconvenience.

Russian Rococo: Mozart & Tchaikovsky

event info

If you love Mozart’s music, you’re in excellent company. Tchaikovsky was Mozart’s biggest fan – he adored the Classical elegance and captivating melodies, and his own music is full
of Mozartian tributes.

The Rococo Variations for cello and orchestra is the most famous of these and its refined nostalgia and delicate virtuosity strikes a chord in every heart. Mozart himself is represented by the symphony he wrote for the city that loved him best Prague. But Sydneysiders can be just as appreciative of the music’s spirit and “fiery momentum”. Add the bell-like simplicity of Pärt’s Fratres and you really can “expect something sublime”.

PÄRT Fratres for solo violin, strings and percussion
MOZART Symphony No.38 (Prague)
TCHAIKOVSKY Rococo Variations for cello and orchestra

Dene Olding violin-director
Catherine Hewgill cello*

* Timothy Walden is unable to perform at these concerts as originally scheduled.

Pre-concert talk by David Garrett at 6.15pm in the First Floor Reception Room (11 November only).

Mozart Legend

event info

A Russian Romantic, Anton Arensky, finds company with two of Mozart’s most festive and best-loved works.

LISTEN TO SAMPLES

Use < > buttons to scroll tracks - see below for listings.

Mozart is a familiar name, but let us introduce you to Anton Arensky. He’s a Russian Romantic, remembered for only a handful of pieces, but every one is a gem. The most famous of all is the Variations, which documents a friendship by taking its theme from Tchaikovsky’s poignant Easter hymn, The Legend. Mozart’s own legendary status is confirmed by the festive Haffner Symphony and the genial classicism of one of his best-loved piano concertos.

ARENSKY Variations on a Theme by Tchaikovsky
MOZART Symphony No.35 (Haffner)
MOZART Piano Concerto No.23 in A, K488

Michael Dauth violin-director
Orli Shaham piano

Pre-concert talk by David Garrett at 6.15pm in the First Floor Reception Room.

AUDIO PLAYER LISTING

Track 1 – MOZART Symphony No.35 (Haffner): 1st movement
Track 2 – MOZART Piano Concerto No.23 in A, K488: slow movement
Track 3 – MOZART Piano Concerto No.23 in A, K488: finale
Alfred Brendel, piano, with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields conducted by Neville Marriner
PHILIPS 464 719-2
Track 4 – MOZART Symphony No.35 (Haffner): finale
Vienna Philharmonic conducted by István Kertész
DECCA 476 7401

Audio kindly supplied by Universal Music

Currently available from iTunes: Mozart concerto