The fantastic and familiar Mozart 2022

Son of an ambitious composer and violinist, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) was arguably the most gifted classical musician in history. His inspiration is often described as “divine,” but he worked assiduously, not only to become the great composer he was, but also as a conductor, virtuoso pianist, organist and violinist. His oeuvre spans opera, symphony, concerto, chamber, choral, instrumental and vocal music.

A poster for the opening concert of 2022 Shenzhen Mozart Festival. Image and photos courtesy of Shenzhen Concert Hall

To pay tribute to this great musician, Shenzhen’s Mozart Week will unveil its opening concert at Shenzhen Concert Hall this Friday evening.

Conductor Lin Daye

Conducted by Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra (SZSO) artistic director Lin Daye, the orchestra will perform six imperishable masterpieces in different genres by Mozart. Pianists Shen Lu and Fang Wanru, mezzo-soprano Li Ying, baritone Liu Songhu and flutist Min Ruofan will collaborate.

Shen and Fang will be soloists for Mozart’s “Concerto No. 10 in E Flat Major for Two Pianos, K365,” the only concerto he wrote for two pianos. Composed in the late 1770s for himself and his sister Nannerl, both virtuoso pianists, the piece displays Mozart’s superb mastery of the genre and unparalleled talent as a composer.

Mezzo-soprano Li Ying

Baritone Liu Songhu

Li and Liu will respectively perform two arias from the opera “The Marriage of Figaro,” and then sing an emotional duet from “Così fan tutte” (“Women Are all Like That”).

      Flutist Min Ruofan

In the second half of the concert, Min, the principal flutist of SZSO, will headline in the “Flute Concerto in G Major, K313,” written by Mozart in 1778 and commissioned by the Dutch flautist Ferdinand De Jean. Joyous, lyrical and pleasant to the ear, this piece fills audiences with hope and has become a paradigm for later composers who try their hands at flute concerti.

Lin Daye conducting Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra during a concert.

The final work on the program will be “Symphony No. 25 in G Minor, K183.” Composed by the then 17-year-old Mozart in October 1773, this piece is rated as one of the best works by the prodigy in his early career. Its first movement was used as the opening music in Miloš Forman’s film “Amadeus.”