Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Mozart & the Violin

Mozart’s delicious fourth violin concerto, with soloist and guest director Sophie Rowell.

Mozart was among the most famous pianists of his day, but was also a highly skilled violinist and violist. While still in his teens, Mozart was appointed concertmaster in the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg’s orchestra. It was during this appointment, in 1775, that he penned all five of his violin concertos.

The fourth concerto is a favourite of violinists and audiences, by turns effervescent and charming, and infused with Mozart’s effortless operatic sense of melody. To perform it, we are joined by violinist Sophie Rowell.

This concert also includes symphonies from the 1770s by close members of Mozart’s circle, a delectable suite by Sibelius reflecting on romantic aspects of Finnish rural life, and a nocturne by Melbourne-based composer Caerwen Martin.