It was a glorious evening as the quartet played Haydn, Boccherini and Mozart with the Harbour views seen through the glass-walled Utzon Room. The musicians and the magnificent Jorn Utzon tapestry were reflected on window-wall. The enormous orange-ochre reflection was the same hue as the cello, giving a wonderful visual composition and unity to the space. And as the sun faded and darkness cloaked the Harbour, the quartet moved from Haydn’s Op 33 to Boccherini’s lighter Op 32. It was as if the celestial and the musical were moving together through time. The four musicians added to the joy by their expressive faces, clearly enjoying themselves. These visual details in the space brought an elegant style to the concert. And to everyone’s delight, fireworks began outside the window-wall just as the sparkling fourth movement of the Mozart ended the program. The timing couldn’t have been better. What an evening! Pure pleasure.

The eleven member Australian Haydn Ensemble (AHE) began ten years ago under the leadership of violinist Skye McIntosh. This performance featured Skye playing a 1770 violin, Matthew Dreco with a 1760 violin, Karina Schmitz a 1793 viola and Daniel Yeadon a 1781 cello. AHE created this concert of the classical triumvirate Haydn-Boccherini-Mozart for touring the regions and Sydney. The one night only performances have also been in Canberra, Berry, Southern Highlands and Armidale. Sadly the planned Lismore, Bangalow and Murwillumbah performances had to be cancelled. 

AHE’s 2022 program includes Mozart-Haydn-Bach at the Adelaide Festival, Haydn’s Creation with the Sydney Chamber Choir (Sydney May 1), Beethoven’s Eroica (Sydney August 8), Haydn Speaks with actor John Bell (Sydney October 16) and C.P.E. Bach’s Universe of Harmony (Sydney December 13).

The three pieces in Mozart: Viennese Star were all published in the 1780s by the composers who respected the others’ work. Details of the three quartets are at AHE’s website:

https://www.australianhaydn.com.au/