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Salzburg commemorates Mozart’s 265th birthday with virtual concert
By Tempus | 22 January 2021 | Culture, Travel
Tradition of holding concerts on famed composer’s birthday continues in lockdown, with never-before-heard piece receiving world premiere
On 27 January, the city of Salzburg in northern Austria will, for the 65th year in a row, hold a special event to commemorate the birthday of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, legendary composer and favourite son of the city.
The work of the composer, who was born in the town 265 years ago, will be celebrated in a special online-only event held by the International Mozart Foundation, as part of a wider Mozart Week.
The event will include live stream broadcasts of three concerts from the Mozarteum’s Concert Hall on 27, 29 and 31 January. These can be viewed via online service Medici.TV (www.medici.tv/en).
The first concert on Wednesday 27 January will include a 94-second-long performance of a never-before-heard piece by the composer. The newly discovered work, dubbed Allegro in D major (KV 626b/16), is believed to have been written in 1773 by the 17-year old Mozart and will be performed by virtuoso pianist Seong-Jin Cho.
Other world-renowned artists joining Cho include mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim and members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Dates and times are:
- Wed 27 January – 5pm UK time; piano works including world premiere. Programme details here
- Friday 29 January – 7pm UK time; arias and songs. Programme details here
- Sunday 31 January – 7.15pm UK time; orchestral works. Programme details here
A one-month membership to access the concerts is required. Price is £9.90, or a one-year membership is on special offer at £69.30. To sign-up, visit: www.medici.tv.
Prolific in his short lifetime, Mozart began composing at the age of 5. He created approximately 600 works across all genres including some 20 operas and more than 100 symphonies and concertos for a wide range of instruments.
His final work, the haunting Requiem in D minor, was unfinished when the composer died in 1791 and was completed by his pupil Süssmayr. Mozart’s incomparably rich cultural legacy continues to unite people and peoples across all divides.
For more information, visit www.salzburgerland.com