The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra (ABO) will perform with special guest soloist, Australian period clarinetist Craig Hill for Mozart’s Clarinet. Featuring Mozart’s Concerto in A major for basset clarinet, this is the composer’s final instrumental work before his early death two months later at 35-years-old. The concerts will take place at Sydney’s City Recital Hall (28 April – 14 May), Melbourne Recital Centre (5 – 8 May) and finally at Parramatta’s Riverside Theatres (13 May).
Friend of the Brandenburg, Craig Hill has an over forty-three-year history with Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, performing the piece over many decades including twice with the Brandenburg. While the wistful Adagio is familiar to many from its use in numerous well-known film scores such as Out of Africa and The King’s Speech, Hill will perform on the traditional period basset clarinet in a rare chance for audiences to hear the work on the instrument it was originally intended and from one of the country’s leading clarinetists.
Musician Craig Hill said: “I first heard it with wonder as an 11-year-old. An Aunt had enquired at her local record store about clarinet music and they proffered “Mozart or Brahms”. And so, Mozart it was. It was the longest piece of music I had ever heard, and it seemed like one endless melody from start to finish.
“For any clarinet player, the opportunity to play the Mozart concerto is a career highlight. Even more so when one has the chance to perform it on the original instrument with wonderfully like-minded colleagues. It’s obvious that Paul Dyer and the musicians at the Brandenburg really love this repertoire and know how to bring it to life.”
Co-founder and Artistic Director Paul Dyer said: “For Mozart’s Clarinet, audiences will be hearing a true virtuoso of the basset clarinet perform one of the first major concertos ever written for the instrument, which Mozart chose in his enduring adaptation of an earlier composition for basset horn. I have enjoyed over 29 years of friendship with Craig, and each time he plays this piece it’s like the first time, capturing its other worldly essence. This is a performance not to be missed.”
Alongside the concerto, the Orchestra led by Dyer will perform WF Bach’s brooding work, the Sinfonia in D minor, Adagio e Fuga.
Brandenburg are working closely with venues to adhere to COVID-Safe guidelines and ensure a safe environment for all. Further information can be found HERE.
DATES
City Recital Hall, Sydney
Thu, 28 April, 7:00 PM
Fri, 29 April, 7:00 PM
Sat, 30 April, 7:00PM
Tue, 3 May, 7:00 PM
Thu, 12 May, 7:00 PM
Sat, 14 May, 2:00 PM
Melbourne Recital Centre
Thu, 5 May, 7:00PM
Sat, 7 May, 7:00 PM
Sun, 8 May, 5:00 PM
Riverside Theatres, Parramatta
Fri, 13 May, 7:00PM
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
Mozart Concerto for basset clarinet in A major, K 622
WF Bach Sinfonia in D minor, Adagio e Fuga, F 65
Featured image : The AUSTRALIAN BRANDENBURG ORCHESTRA