Mozart, Divertimento for Strings, K.136, Part II Presto (Mozartwoche 2000)

“Hallmarks of this chamber ensemble are its youthful liveliness and enthusiastic commitment to expressing the composer’s intentions as vividly as possible” wrote the leading German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung about the “Bayerische Kammerphilharmonie”. Founded in 1990, this ensemble consists of young musicians who devote themselves above all to non-repertoire works, contemporary music and imaginative musical projects. This special concert recorded at the Mozartwoche 2000 reflects the ensemble’s interest in showcasing not only the talent of gifted young soloists, but also the rare and unique instruments on which they are playing. Under the distinguished American conductor Philip Greenberg, the ensemble performs the third movement (Presto) from Mozart’s early Divertimento for Strings K. 136 in a concert recorded at the Mozarteum Salzburg in 2000.

Mozart, Symphony No.28 in C major, K.200 (Mozartwoche 2001)

The Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg has been the orchestra of the city and Land of Salzburg since 1958 and regularly concertizes at the Salzburg Festival and the Mozartwoche. The principal conductor is the Dutch-born Hubert Soudant, who led the Nouvel Orchestre Philharmonique de France in Paris from 1981 to 1983 and the Utrecht Symphony Orchestra from 1983 to 1986. In addition to his activities in Salzburg, Soudant is also the principal conductor of the Orchestra and Opéra des Pays de Loire in Nantes and Angers, France. Like the “little” G minor Symphony, K. 200 is also one of the early “Salzburg” symphonies. Its originality places it on a par with the G minor work. The onward-rushing, sharply profiled theme prefigured an evolution which led to a more individual characterization of the melodies and to a more thorough exploitation of their combinative possibilities. While the muted strings and “sigh” motifs of the Andante point to techniques Mozart was to perfect in later works, the final sprightly Presto recalls the structure of the opening movement, thus rounding off the work in an admirable fashion.

Mozart, Piano Concerto No.27 in B flat major, K.595 (Mozartwoche 2000)

Making his first appearance at the head of the Camerata academica Salzburg at the Mozartwoche 2000 was American conductor Dennis Russell Davies. Born in Ohio in 1944, he has guested as opera conductor at many of the most prestigious theaters of the world. In 1980 he was appointed General Music Director of the Stuttgart State Opera, and from 1987 to 1995 he fulfilled the same function in Bonn. He was then principal conductor of the Stuttgart Kammerorchester and the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. He became General Music Director in Linz in fall 2002. The former “Camerata academica Salzburg” was renamed simply “Camerata Salzburg” in 2001. It was founded in 1951 by Bernhard Paumgartner, who was its head and mentor for many years. From 1978 to 1997 its artistic director was Sándor Végh and in 1997 Roger Norrington was appointed principal conductor of the ensemble. The Camerata Salzburg can be heard every year at the Salzburg Mozartwoche and Salzburg Festival. The teaming of Dennis Russell Davies and the Camerata academica was a total success: “The conductor, in spite of his cool exterior, acted anything but coolly, and the frisky ensemble created an ideal pairing, a kind of ‘Dream Team'”, wrote a Salzburg critic. Soloist Ursula Oppens was born in New York and studied at the Juilliard School of Music. After winning many competitions, she made her debut at Carnegie Hall in 1969. She has long been a sought-after soloist and recitalist.

Schnittke, Moz-Art à la Haydn (Mozartwoche 2000)

Alfred Schnittke’s composition for two solo violins, two small string orchestras, double bass and conductor (1977) was recorded with the Camerata academica Salzburg under the direction of Dennis Russell Davies at the Mozarteum Salzburg on 29 January 2000. The work is dedicated to Tatyana Grindenko and Gidon Kremer and was given its world premiere in Tbilissi in 1983. The first performance in Western Europe took place at the Lockenhaus Festival in 1984 with Gidon Kremer. Thanks to its spirited atmosphere, this piece is one of Schnittke’s most popular works. Making his first appearance at the head of the Camerata academica Salzburg at the Mozartwoche 2000 was American conductor Dennis Russell Davies. Born in Ohio in 1944, he has guested as opera conductor at many of the most prestigious theaters of the world. In 1980 he was appointed General Music Director of the Stuttgart State Opera, and from 1987 to 1995 he fulfilled the same function in Bonn. He was then principal conductor of the Stuttgart Kammerorchester and the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. He became General Music Director in Linz in fall 2002. The former “Camerata academica Salzburg” was renamed simply “Camerata Salzburg” in 2001. It was founded in 1951 by Bernhard Paumgartner, who was its head and mentor for many years. From 1978 to 1997 its artistic director was Sándor Végh and in 1997 Roger Norrington was appointed principal conductor of the ensemble. The Camerata Salzburg can be heard every year at the Salzburg Mozartwoche and Salzburg Festival. The teaming of Dennis Russell Davies and the Camerata academica was a total success: “The conductor, in spite of his cool exterior, acted anything but coolly, and the frisky ensemble created an ideal pairing, a kind of ‘Dream Team'”, wrote a Salzburg critic.