Public Radio 90 celebrates Mozart's 250th birthday today with special programming throughout the day.On January 27, 2006, the world, will celebrate the 250th birthday of the most famous and beloved of all composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Join Public Radio 90 January 27 starting at 10am for a day long celebration of Mozart and his extraordinary music!
W. A. Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria on January 27, 1756. By age 5, he was already composing minuets and by age 12 he completed his first opera. He truly was born to make music. Mozart died at the early age of 35, not aware of how famous he and his music would become.
One might think that, after showing so little appreciation for Mozart in his lifetime, Austrians?and Salzburgers in particular? might restrain from exploiting his memory. But today's Salzburg residents, or at least those in the tourist business, have made up for the sins of their forefathers by honoring their most famous native with a musical foundation, museums, and even a chocolate confection known as Mozartkugeln.
Now realizing what an influence he was, at the exact moment of his birth 250 years ago, more than 100 churches in Salzburg will ring their bells for seven minutes in Mozart?s honor. Thousands will gather for this musical celebration like no other. Large Mozart exhibitions will be on display for the Salzburg public to provide vibrant insight into Mozart?s life as a child prodigy, his genius and into his multi-faceted personality; from his passion for gaming through to his adoration of the female sex and his role as a loving family man.
Our Public Radio 90 Mozart celebration starts at 10am on the 27th with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra conducted by Daniel Harding. Guest soloists, include baritone Thomas Quasthoff and pianist Lars Vogt. They will perform Symphony No. 13 in F, String Quartet No. 20 in D, Arias for Baritone and Orchestra, and Piano Concerto No. 20 in d, all composed by Mozart.
At 12noon, we?ll hear Riccardo Muti conduct the Vienna Philharmonic, live from the Festspielhaus in Salzburg. Guest soloists include pianist Mitsuko Uchida, soprano Renee Fleming, baritone Thomas Hampson and violist Yuri Bashmet. They will perform Piano Concerto No. 25 in C, Concert Aria, Ch'io mi scordi di te, Concert Aria, Rivolgete a lui lo sguardo, and Sinfonia Concertante in E-Flat, all composed by Mozart.
At 8pm, we?ll return for 4 more hours with the Vienna Philharmonic with pianist Emanuel Ax, Juilliard Quartet, Camerata Salzburg, Mark Wigglesworth, pianist Leif Ove Andsnes, and Nikolaus Harnoncourt. We?ll hear them perform Piano Concerto No. 14 in E-Flat, Symphony No. 40 in g, Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-Flat, Symphony No. 39 in E-Flat, Piano Concerto No. 14 in E-Flat, and Symphony No. 40 in g.
Be sure to tune in for this amazing celebration of Mozart?s achievement Friday, January 27!