NEW YORK—For a composer as prolific, gifted, and influential as Mozart, a month-long festival in tribute to his music in the heart of today’s most famous city seems only appropriate. But a tribute to his work is incomplete without also providing testimony to the Western musical tradition of which he is such an important part.
The Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center is back for its 44th year and will run from July 27 to Aug. 21. Both classical music lovers and casual listeners are invited to attend this festival of music, dance, and discussions—and tickets are reasonably priced.
The festival is a real treat for the ear and a great escape from the summer heat, with an orchestra especially devoted to playing works by Mozart. The festival also features a multitude of recitals by various artists, different instruments, and best of all, music from greats like Bach, Chopin, and Beethoven in addition to composers we don’t hear as frequently, like Mendelssohn and Busoni.
This year, there are 35 events, with 10 concerts conducted by festival music director Louis Langrée with the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra. There are also three guest conductors this year: the young Pablo Heras-Casado and Lionel Bringuier, and the clarinetist-composer Osmo Vänskä.
On some evenings, it may be an all-Mozart program, but usually, other composers’ works are performed in conjunction with Mozart’s. At the concerts, a solo artist is featured with the orchestra. This year, guest soloists include pianists Mihaela Ursuleasa and Simon Trpceski, violinist James Ehnes, and soprano Carolyn Sampson, to name a few.
Visiting chamber orchestras Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen and the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra will be playing at the festival to pay tribute to Schumann and Haydn. The Baroque Orchestra will be performing a program with Christine Schornsheim on the fortepiano, which ends with one of Mozart’s pieces for string quartet, designed to evoke “a fictitious meeting between Haydn and the young Mozart,” said a festival press release.
Prior to orchestra performances, ticket holders are welcome to join pre-concert recitals for some chamber music. In addition to young, up-and-coming talents like pianist Haochen Zhang, ensembles like the Emerson String Quartet are expected to perform pieces ranging from Chopin’s preludes to Paganini’s caprices.
The Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center is back for its 44th year and will run from July 27 to Aug. 21. Both classical music lovers and casual listeners are invited to attend this festival of music, dance, and discussions—and tickets are reasonably priced.
The festival is a real treat for the ear and a great escape from the summer heat, with an orchestra especially devoted to playing works by Mozart. The festival also features a multitude of recitals by various artists, different instruments, and best of all, music from greats like Bach, Chopin, and Beethoven in addition to composers we don’t hear as frequently, like Mendelssohn and Busoni.
Festival Orchestra
This year, there are 35 events, with 10 concerts conducted by festival music director Louis Langrée with the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra. There are also three guest conductors this year: the young Pablo Heras-Casado and Lionel Bringuier, and the clarinetist-composer Osmo Vänskä.
On some evenings, it may be an all-Mozart program, but usually, other composers’ works are performed in conjunction with Mozart’s. At the concerts, a solo artist is featured with the orchestra. This year, guest soloists include pianists Mihaela Ursuleasa and Simon Trpceski, violinist James Ehnes, and soprano Carolyn Sampson, to name a few.
Visiting chamber orchestras Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen and the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra will be playing at the festival to pay tribute to Schumann and Haydn. The Baroque Orchestra will be performing a program with Christine Schornsheim on the fortepiano, which ends with one of Mozart’s pieces for string quartet, designed to evoke “a fictitious meeting between Haydn and the young Mozart,” said a festival press release.
Prior to orchestra performances, ticket holders are welcome to join pre-concert recitals for some chamber music. In addition to young, up-and-coming talents like pianist Haochen Zhang, ensembles like the Emerson String Quartet are expected to perform pieces ranging from Chopin’s preludes to Paganini’s caprices.
