MOZART 250
1774 – A Retrospective
The Mozartists, Ian Page
18 January 2014

Zimmermann: Symphony in E minor
Gluck: “Par un père cruel” and “Jupiter, lance la foudre” from Iphigénie en Aulide
Anfossi: “Care pupile belle” from La finta giardiniera (UK première)
Salieri: “Sperar il caro porto” from La calamita de’ cuori (UK première)
Mozart: “Ergo interest… Quaere superna” K. 143
Mysliveček: “Pace e calma in questo segno” from Artaserse (UK première)
Mozart: Symphony No. 29 in A, K. 201
Gluck: Scene from Act 3 of Orphée et Euridice

The Mozartists‘ monumental MOZART 250 project has now reached its 10th year with an exploration of the year 1774 and the opening programme of their 2014 season. Continuing the pioneering work of Ian Page’s Classical Opera (which I first reviewed in 1998), the renamed Mozartists started MOZART 250 in 2015, the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s childhood visit to London. The project will follow his musical journey up to the year 2041, the 250th anniversary of his death.

As usual, the opening programme of the annual series places Mozart’s music in its wider musical context. Their programme “1774 – A Retrospective” gives an overview of the musical world 250 years ago when Mozart turned 18. Alongside two pieces by the young Mozart (“Ergo interest… Quaere superna” K143 and Symphony No. 29 in A, K201) were an extended scene from the Paris version of Gluck’s setting of the Orpheus legend and three UK premieres. The inclusion of premier performances is a subplot of the MOZART 250 series. Ian Page plans to include at least 100 such compositions during the project and after the first ten years, is already approaching 50.

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