Mozart
Birthday Bash
January 18, 2020 | Michigan Theater
Behind the Music
The imaginative energy that fills Mozart’s “Turkish” Violin Concerto is that of youth and idealism. While it does not contain a cadenza, his Fifth Violin Concerto features writing that exudes the freedom and lyricism that would suggest otherwise. The A2SO proudly welcomes Itamar Zorman as the featured soloist on this captivating work. The theme of youth continues with Mozart’s Symphony No. 29 in A major. Written at the age of 18-years-old, it is overflowing with a sense of self-confidence that confirms the composer’s creative genius. From pastoral scenes to the mystery of nocturnal landscapes, Symphony No. 29 paints a sophisticated symphonic drama. Our celebration of Mozart is rounded out with a selection of some the most famous choruses ever penned in the operatic canon.
PROGRAM
MOZART Famous Opera Choruses
MOZART Violin Concerto No. 5 K. 219 in A major, “Turkish”
MOZART Symphony No. 29, K. 201 in A major
Itamar Zorman, violin
David Lockington, guest conductor

Symphony No. 29, K. 201 in A major was the first work the 18-year-old Mozart completed after being hired by the Salzburg court.
Itamar Zorman, Violin

Fast Facts
Year Of The Violin
During his years in Salzburg, Mozart composed an abundance of beautiful works for violin that were most likely for the young composer to perform himself. In 1775, Mozart composed the last four of his five of his violin concertos among a number of other “serenades” that often featured movements with violin soloists and writing characteristic of concerti.
1772-1774
Before the “year of the violin” came a period of Mozart’s life with an unhumanly level of symphonic output. Between the years of 1772-1774 Mozart was transitioning, not only musically, but into a new position on the Salzburg court. It was during this time when the composer wrote about a third of what would be his total symphonic catalog.