Precocious Virtuosity - ChamberFest Cleveland

Description

Precocity is its own stimulant. In need of cash, Mozart asked for an advance on royalties from his new piano quartet. Ironically, this first major work of its kind was considered too difficult for amateurs to perform, and he was released from completing the proposed set. One of the greatest works by any youthful artist is Mendelssohn’s effervescent octet – an entirely new medium – written at the tender age of 16 and inspired in part by Goethe’s Faust. Paderewski once said: “After Chopin, Moszkowski best understands how to write for the piano,” and he was immensely popular as the 19th century drew to a close. After the monster pianist lost his money and his health, admirers gave a Carnegie Hall concert on his behalf with 15 grand pianos; tragically, Moszkowski died within a year.

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, K. 478
MORITZ MOSZKOWSKI Suite for Two Violins and Piano, Op. 71
FELIX MENDELSSOHN Octet in E-flat major, Op. 20

Artists:
Julie Albers, cello
Jessica Bodner, viola
Diana Cohen, violin
Dane Johansen, cello
Matt McDonald, viola
Nathan Meltzer, violin
Juho Pohjonen, piano
Amy Schwartz Moretti, violin
Itamar Zorman, violin

Sponsored with support of the Jewish Federation’s Cleveland Israel Arts Connection.

Cost: $15 - $40