Premieres and sensational finds are rare but there are still miracles happening: there is hardly any other composer whose life and work have been better researched and of whose complete works we have such a precise listing. Above all, because his enterprising father Leopold had compiled a catalogue of compositions by his child prodigy already in 1768. Now the almost impossible has occurred: a new, completely unknown work by Mozart has surfaced! The Allegro in D major K 626b/16, a three-part, dance-like piano piece lasts a total of 94 seconds. Examined for authenticity by the best international Mozart scholars, it is being performed for the first time ever in Salzburg, the birthplace of the great genius. But for what occasion was it composed, how was it handed down? Ulrich Leisinger, scientific director of the Mozarteum Foundation, answers these questions in conversation with Rolando Villazón. This lecture is embedded into a concert program starring Korean pianist Seong-Jin Cho and putting the new work into context. PROGRAM Piano Sonata No. 12, Piano Piece “Pimpinella”, K. 33b; Allegro from a Salzburg Music Book; Allegro, K. 626b/16 “World Premiere”. Versions available: Talk in English: 50’/ Sonata K. 332 only: 20′
Mozart Week 2021: Opening Concert
To let Mozart’s 265th birthday pass uncelebrated just because a pandemic is raging worldwide? That was out of the question for Rolando Villazón, superstar among tenors and artistic director of the Salzburg Mozart Week! To pay tribute to the great composer, he invited the audience to a large, digital celebration concert and did not miss the opportunity to warble a few arias himself. Keri-Lynn Wilson is on the podium of the Mozarteum Orchestra, Luca Pisaroni and Giulia Semenzato bring Italian fire to the stage and sing selected Mozart arias. In addition, the concerto for flute, harp and orchestra resounds in the Mozarteum’s Great Hall. Mathilde Caldérini, principal flute of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, and Xavier de Maistre on the harp compete in a contest of euphony.
Mozart Week 2021: Cara Sorella Mia – Letters and music
A concert dedicated not only to Mozart as a composer, but to Mozart the universal artist: his letters to his sister Nannerl are an art in themselves and show the wit and humor of this young and lively composer. The letters are read by the famous Austrian actress, Adele Neuhauser and are embedded into the performance of Mozart’s most beautiful sonatas for violin and piano. Played by the young violinist Emmanuel Tjeknavorian on Mozart’s own original violin and at his side playing Mozart’s original piano is Marie Sophie Hauzel. The venue is the Tanzmeistersaal of Mozart’s townhouse in Salzburg. Versions available: Concert & letters only: 68′ / Concert, letters & documentary elements: 77′. PROGRAM Violin Sonata K. 302, Violin Sonata K. 378, Violin Sonata K. 304, Violin Sonata K. 304, Violin Sonata K. 526 + Letters by W. A. Mozart to his sister Maria Anna (read in German)
Mozart Week 2021: Hengelbrock conducts Mozart
Mozart’s last symphony, the popular “Jupiter Symphony” K. 551, and Mozart’s first symphony in E flat major K. 16 are on the program of this concert and show the musical development of the “child prodigy” into a genius, who, as he grew older, found his way to an ever more drastic and profound musical language. In between, the Kyrgyzstan-born soprano Katharina Konradi, one of the most exciting young voices causing a sensation in the music world, presents arias from Le nozze di Figaro, Die Zauberflöte and
Don Giovanni, making a convincing Mozart Week debut! A star is born! “Magic moments” Drehpunkt Kultur. Program Mozart: Symphony No. 1, “Giunse alfin il momento…” – “Deh vieni non tardar” from Le nozze di Figaro, “Ach ich fühl’s, es ist verschwunden” from Die Zauberflöte, “Batti, batti, o bel Masetto” from Don Giovanni, Symphony No. 41 “Jupiter”
Mozart Week 2021: Barenboim & Bartoli
La Bartoli – wherever she performs, the audience goes wild. Usually. Thanks to Covid-19, this time the Great Hall of the Mozarteum Salzburg is empty when Cecilia Bartoli, accompanied by one of the residence orchestras of the acclaimed Mozartwoche, the Vienna Philharmonic, under the baton of Daniel Barenboim sings “Ch’io mi scordi di te”. Of course always with her own technical perfection, heartfelt warmth and at the same time great gesture. No one masters playing on stage like she does, even if it is a stage in front of an empty hall. Further on the program: Mozart’s famous “Prague Symphony” as well as conductor Daniel Barenboim slipping into the role of the pianist playing the Piano Concerto in C minor K. 491. PROGRAM “Ch’io mi scordi di te?” – “Non temer, amato bene”, K. 505; “Vedrai, carino” from Don Giovanni; Piano Concerto No. 24, Symphony No. 38 “Prague Symphony”
Mozart Week 2021: Chamber Music with Members of the Vienna Philharmonic
Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet, completed on September 29, 1789, is one of the most beautiful musical friendship pieces in music history. In his circle, it was called “Stadler Quintet”, because he wrote it for the Viennese clarinettist Anton Stadler. Mozart loved the clarinet for its timbre similar to the singing voice and no other 18th century clarinettist expressed this similarity more fully than Stadler. In this concert, the famous “Stadler Quintet” can be heard in an interpretation by members of the Wiener Philharmoniker, recorded in the Great Hall of the Mozarteum Salzburg. Further on the program: the String Quartet in C major K. 157 and the Flute Quartet in D major K. 285. “Members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra provide a chamber music highlight” (Kronenzeitung)
Mozart Week 2021: Mozartiade
This Mozartiade combines a selection of the most beautiful and touching songs composed by Mozart, including “Abendempfindung an Laura” or “Komm, lieber Mai, und mache” in the intimate atmosphere of the Mozarteum’s Great Hall, led by mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožena who is always a welcome guest in Salzburg. Among the highlights of the concert is her interpretation of “Die Alte” K. 517, in whose composition all of Mozart’s musical wit becomes obvious. In addition, soprano Sylvia Schwartz and tenor Mauro Peter present their favorite Mozart songs, while Elena Bashkirova enhances the concert with her subtle, transparent accompaniment on the piano.
Mozart Week 2021: Quatuor Van Kuijk
The Quatuor Van Kuijk was founded only 6 years ago and already they have won all the prizes that can be won: the Wigmore Hall International Chamber Music Competition, the Aix-en-Provence Festival Academy, they are BBC New Generation Artists… just to name a few. The young Viennese pianist, Maximilian Kromer, joins this exciting ensemble – what emerges is a ravishingly youthful Mozart sound. “accomplished Mozart interpreters on stage” (APA) PROGRAMM Mozart: Divertimento K. 136; Divertimento, K. 137; Piano Quartet, K. 478
Mozart Week 2021: Giedre Šlekyte conducts Mozart
Bright as a bell is the attribute that one must associate with the voice of Regula Mühlemann. Her “Exsultate jubilate” scales the shimmering heights without any trace of effort, with a natural elegance that is second to none. After her stunning performance, the concert continues with Renaud Capuçon and Gérard Caussé performing Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante K. 364 under the intense baton of Lithuanian conductor Giedre Šlekyte on the podium of the Camerata Salzburg. PROGRAM Symphony No. 31, “Exsultate, jubilate” K. 165, “Nehmt meinen Dank, ihr holden Gönner” K. 383, Sinfonia concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra K. 364
Il barbiere di Siviglia
“Il barbiere di Siviglia” is commonly considered as Gioachino Rossini’s masterpiece. It premiered in Rome in 1816, ever since it has been one of the most popular and successful works in the world of opera. For his new production at the Vienna State Opera, the director Herbert Fritsch has created a colourful slapstick party” (Der Standard) and assembled a gifted and dedicated ensemble of excellent vocal quality and marvelous acting skills, with Bel canto star Juan Diego Flórez as Conte Almaviva, Vasilisa Berzhanskaya as Rosina and Étienne Dupuis as Figaro. Rossini specialist Michele Mariotti sweeps the Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper into lusty playing.