Classical Beauty

Benjamin Northey conductor
Featuring The Silver Garburg Piano Duo

Prokofiev Classical Symphony
Mozart Concerto for two pianos in Eb major K.365
Gao Ping CSO Commision
Mozart Symphony No.41 Jupiter

Friday 31st August, 7.30pm
Aurora Centre

In his first symphony, Prokofiev makes a bow towards Haydn and Mozart. This small masterwork was paradoxically written at a time of a revolution which would sweep away the old world. Musicologists see this as one of the first neo-classical symphonies but one which clearly reflects the tastes and style of the early 20th century – and Prokofiev’s own unique voice.

There’s a charming domestic quality to this concerto which immediately endears itself. Written in 1779, the 23 year old Mozart composed the work to play with his much-loved sister, Nannerl. He was about to leave Salzburg for Vienna. The work, perhaps an unconscious farewell to his childhood and young adulthood, is by turns lyrical, refined, exuberant and joyous. It becomes an animated conversation between the soloists and the orchestra as the pianos laugh and chatter. This is Mozart at his most inventive and playful.
Guest soloists The Silver Garburg Piano Duo have been praised for their “lyrical sensitivity and extraordinary inner perception”.

In 1788, Mozart completed three symphonies in rapid succession. This is the last in the trio – and the last symphony he composed. An amazing tour de force when you consider that he was writing two piano trios and a violin sonatina at the same time. Fortunately for us, quantity did not overcome quality. Mozart has given us one of the greatest symphonic works, certainly one of the greatest before the French Revolution changed everything. The Jupiter (a name provided by the impresario Johann Peter Salomon) contains majesty, power and huge emotions. The finale is almost overpowering as Mozart seems to liberate all his skill and genius into a tide of sound with an almost spiritual force.