Melbourne Recital Centre & the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) Mostly Mozart – Mozart & the Bach sons

When the Bachs met Mozart.

In this Monday morning performance, take a deep dive into the Bach family tree and the families impact on Mozart. Featuring the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) Orchestra, under the direction of violinist Shaun Lee-Chen (Concertmaster, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra), experience a rare treat of a program featuring the Bach sons alongside one of the greats, Mozart.

Having met J.C. Bach at just eight years old, a young Mozart took inspiration from the youngest of J.S. Bach’s children, writing his Symphony No.1 shortly after the pair first met in 1764. By the time he completed his Symphony No.31 (‘Paris’), written just 14 years later, Mozart’s melodic gifts had grown beyond that of a ‘wunderkind’ and into one of a confident and brilliant composer.

Bookended between the two Mozart symphonies, J.C. Bach’s Sinfonia Concertante and C.P.E. Bach’s Symphony in B minor highlight the different paths of compositional style taken by Johann Sebastian’s sons. J.C. gave Mozart his first exposure to the galant style, while C.P.E. pioneered the emotionally turbulent ‘Sturm und Drang’ movement. Together, they show how innovation happens: not in isolation, but in conversation.

Alongside director, violinist, and ANAM Alum, Shaun Lee-Chen, the ANAM Orchestra traces this linage, and spotlights the moment when craftsmanship became something transcendent.

Morning Tea
Join us for a complimentary morning tea of coffee, tea, sweet treats and savoury delights from 10am in the ground floor foyer.