Leif Ove Andsnes reunites with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra for European tour
He joins the orchestra’s concertmaster Matthew Truscott and Principals Joel Hunter (viola) and Frank-Michael Guthmann (cello) to perform a selection of Mozart chamber works across Europe in February 2020
These concerts form part of the four-year partnership Mozart Momentum 1785/1786, and mark Andsnes’ first public appearances with the MCO since their three-night cycle of all Beethoven’s piano concertos at the BBC Proms in 2015. This February’s London concert also marks the occasion of the MCO’s debut at the Wigmore Hall.
Mozart Momentum 1785/1786 reunites Andsnes and the MCO in looking deeply at two of the most creative years in Mozart’s life, through a mix of chamber and orchestral music, plus piano concertos performed with the same intimate agility and self-directed approach that was the hallmark of their celebrated collaboration during the Beethoven Journey (2013–15). The basis for Mozart Momentum 1785/1786 is the composer’s Piano Concerto No. 20, a landmark work written in 1785 that dramatically reshaped the relationship between soloist and orchestra into one of close communication, dialogue, interaction, and free exchange – echoing the MCO’s own unique approach.
As part of their commitment to education and outreach work, the MCO will be inviting audience members to uncover the internal dynamics of this central piece for themselves through Unboxing Mozart, a new digital learning experience for Mozart Momentum 1785/1786 that will be on display
and available to audiences in Eindhoven (18 February) and Antwerp (19 February). The online version, featuring exclusive video and audio content from Leif Ove Andsnes and the MCO, was released in December 2019.
Mozart Momentum 1785/1786 continues later this year, with performances featuring the full Mahler Chamber Orchestra in Rijeka, the European Capital of Culture (16 May), Reggio Emilia (18 May), Perugia (19 May), Antwerp (20 May) and Neumarkt (24 May), culminating with two nights at the Prague Spring Festival, which will be recorded live for future release by Sony Classical (26 & 27 May), which will be recorded live for release this autumn by Sony Classical.
MOZART MOMENTUM 1785/1786: CHAMBER FANTASIAS
15 February
Elmau
20:30 / SCHLOSS ELMAU
W. A. Mozart Piano Trio No. 3, K. 502
W. A. Mozart Piano Quartet No. 2, K. 493
16 February
Elmau
20:30 / SCHLOSS ELMAU
W. A. Mozart Duo for Violin and Viola No. 1, K. 423
W. A. Mozart Fantasia, K. 475
W. A. Mozart Piano Quartet No. 1, K. 478
18 February
Eindhoven
20:15 / MUZIEKGEBOUW EINDHOVEN
W. A. Mozart Piano Quartet No. 1, K. 478
W. A. Mozart Piano Trio No. 3, K. 502
W. A. Mozart Fantasia, K. 475
W. A. Mozart Piano Quartet No. 2, K. 493
19 February
Antwerp
20:00 / DE SINGEL
W. A. Mozart Piano Quartet No. 1, K. 478
W. A. Mozart Piano Trio No. 3, K. 502
W. A. Mozart Fantasia, K. 475
W. A. Mozart Piano Quartet No. 2, K. 493
20 February
London
19:30 / WIGMORE HALL
W. A. Mozart Piano Quartet No. 1, K. 478
W. A. Mozart Piano Trio No. 3, K. 502
W. A. Mozart Fantasia, K. 475
W. A. Mozart Piano Quartet No. 2, K. 493
23 February
Bremen
18:00 / SENDESAAL
W. A. Mozart Piano Quartet No. 1, K. 478
W. A. Mozart Piano Trio No. 3, K. 502
W. A. Mozart Fantasia, K. 475
W. A. Mozart Piano Quartet No. 2, K. 493
