Mozart’s Gran Partita – the Serenade No. 10 in B flat K361 – is scored for twelve wind instruments (two oboes, two clarinets, two basset horns, four horns, two bassoons) and a double bass. The seven-part work is performed by woodwind players of the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, specialists in authentic performances of the music of Mozart’s era.
Symphony No.3 “Eroica”
Frans Brüggen’s Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century consists of some forty-five musicians and the structure is based on the ‘luxury’ orchestras that flourished in Mannheim, Paris and Vienna in the eighteenth century. Specialising in the music of that era, the orchestra uses period instruments or copies of them. Their spectacular rendition of Beethoven’s Eroica has won them international acclaim. This live recording comes from the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
Mozartwoche 2001
Mozart, Symphony in D major K.196 and Finale K.121 (Mozartwoche 2001)
Frans Brüggen was born in Amsterdam in 1934. After pursuing a great career as a recorder virtuoso, he began to devote himself almost exclusively to conducting. In 1981 he founded the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, with which he has gone on tours around the world. He has also led many of the leading orchestras in Europe. The Mozarteum Orchester Salzburg goes back to the “Dom-Musik-Verein und Mozarteum” founded in 1841. Since 1938 it has been an independent institution with professional musicians. It has been the orchestra of the city and the Land of Salzburg since 1958 and, in addition to its activity as opera and concert orchestra, it also performs regularly at the Salzburg Festival and the Mozartwoche.
Mozart, Concertone in C major for two Violins and Orchestra, K.190 (Mozartwoche 2001)
Mozart’s Concertone for two violins and orchestra K. 190, an unusual work in the style of a “symphonie concertante”, showcases the talent of solo violinists Markus Tomasi and Frank Stadler. Markus Tomasi was born in Vienna in 1960. He studied in Salzburg with Paul Roczek and Josef Suk, and attended master classes given by Max Rostal, Norbert Brainin, Gerhard Schulz, Jens Ellermann and Dorothy Delay. Since 1983 he has been first concertmaster of the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg and guests as soloist and chamber musician in Europe, Japan and the U.S. Frank Stadler comes from Bavaria and studied at the Hochschule Mozarteum in Salzburg. He is concertmaster and artistic director of the Österreichisches Ensemble für Neue Musik, at whose center is the Stadler Quartet, which he founded. He has been the concertmaster of the Mozarteum Orchestra in Salzburg since 1999. Frans Brüggen was born in Amsterdam in 1934. After pursuing a great career as a recorder virtuoso, he began to devote himself almost exclusively to conducting. In 1981 he founded the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, with which he has gone on tours around the world. He has also led many of the leading orchestras in Europe. The Mozarteum Orchester Salzburg goes back to the “Dom-Musik-Verein und Mozarteum” founded in 1841. Since 1938 it has been an independent institution with professional musicians. It has been the orchestra of the city and the Land of Salzburg since 1958 and, in addition to its activity as opera and concert orchestra, it also performs regularly at the Salzburg Festival and the Mozartwoche.
Mozart, “L’amerò, sarò costante” from “Il re pastore”, K.208/10 (Mozartwoche 2001)
The Swedish soprano Malin Hartelius comes from Växjö. She studied in Vienna and gained her first stage experiences while still a student. She became a member of the Vienna State Opera Studio in 1989/90, and subsequently of the Vienna State Opera. She then began to appear at all the leading opera houses and concert venues of Europe. Malin Hartelius was employed by the Zurich Opera when this recording was made at the Mozartwoche 2001. Frans Brüggen was born in Amsterdam in 1934. After pursuing a great career as a recorder virtuoso, he began to devote himself almost exclusively to conducting. In 1981 he founded the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, with which he has gone on tours around the world. He has also led many of the leading orchestras in Europe. The Mozarteum Orchester Salzburg goes back to the “Dom-Musik-Verein und Mozarteum” founded in 1841. Since 1938 it has been an independent institution with professional musicians. It has been the orchestra of the city and the Land of Salzburg since 1958 and, in addition to its activity as opera and concert orchestra, it also performs regularly at the Salzburg Festival and the Mozartwoche.
Mozart, “In faccia all’oggetto” from “Mitridate”, K.87 (Mozartwoche 2001)
The Swedish soprano Malin Hartelius comes from Växjö. She studied in Vienna and gained her first stage experiences while still a student. She became a member of the Vienna State Opera Studio in 1989/90, and subsequently of the Vienna State Opera. She then began to appear at all the leading opera houses and concert venues of Europe. Malin Hartelius was employed by the Zurich Opera when this recording was made at the Mozartwoche 2001. Frans Brüggen was born in Amsterdam in 1934. After pursuing a great career as a recorder virtuoso, he began to devote himself almost exclusively to conducting. In 1981 he founded the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, with which he has gone on tours around the world. He has also led many of the leading orchestras in Europe. The Mozarteum Orchester Salzburg goes back to the “Dom-Musik-Verein und Mozarteum” founded in 1841. Since 1938 it has been an independent institution with professional musicians. It has been the orchestra of the city and the Land of Salzburg since 1958 and, in addition to its activity as opera and concert orchestra, it also performs regularly at the Salzburg Festival and the Mozartwoche.
Mozart, Symphony No.25 in G minor, K.183 (Mozartwoche 2001)
Written in Salzburg in 1773, the “Little” G minor (thus distinguished from the “Great” G minor K. 550) is one of the most striking works in the group of nine symphonies Mozart wrote in 1773/74, as well as Mozart’s first symphony in a minor key. Music historians have often wondered about the origin of this stormy and dramatic work that echoes the “Storm and Stress” movement surging through Central Europe at that time. K. 183 also follows the model of the minor-key symphonies of other composers such as Joseph Haydn and, particularly, J. C. Bach, whose Op. 6 No. 6 even contains some similar turns. Frans Brüggen was born in Amsterdam in 1934. After pursuing a great career as a recorder virtuoso, he began to devote himself almost exclusively to conducting. In 1981 he founded the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, with which he has gone on tours around the world. He has also led many of the leading orchestras in Europe. The Mozarteum Orchester Salzburg goes back to the “Dom-Musik-Verein und Mozarteum” founded in 1841. Since 1938 it has been an independent institution with professional musicians. It has been the orchestra of the city and the Land of Salzburg since 1958 and, in addition to its activity as opera and concert orchestra, it also performs regularly at the Salzburg Festival and the Mozartwoche.
Mozart’s Final Symphonies
Frans Brüggen and his Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century re-invent the classical masterpieces of Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and other early 18th century composers by playing them on period instruments and interpret the music as if written yesterday. After almost 30 years of traveling all around the globe they now, in their 99th world tour, play Mozart with the spirit, freshness and eagerness of their first concert. On the programme Mozart’s Final three Symphonies including No. 40, the first ever played symphony by Frans Brüggen and his band.