The programme of the Mozartwoche (Mozart week), held in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s birthplace of Salzburg, Austria from 23 January to 2 February has a special focus on the Estonian composer, Arvo Pärt, this year, premiering his latest work, “Swan Song”.
At a total of six concerts during the Mozartwoche, a considerable number of Pärt’s works will be presented. Among others, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of conductor Marc Minkowski, will perform the world premiere of “Swan Song” on 29 January. The Mozartwoche, a festival of long traditions, commissioned the composition. The request inspired Pärt to once again approach the historic fragment of English Cardinal John Newman’s well-known sermon, which was also the cornerstone of his choral work “Littlemore Tractus”, completed in 2000. The reconnection provided the impetus for the birth of this orchestral version, which relies less on the original text than the earlier choral piece, but thanks to the sound of the orchestra, various nuances of this short yet poetic text are highlighted to an even greater effect. Pärt himself will be present at the premiere.
Under Tõnu Kaljuste’s lead on 1 February, the Camerata Salzburg and the Latvian Radio Choir will perform Pärt’s “Salve Regina” and “Adam’s Lament” alongside the works of Mozart and Johann Strauss. The Scottish Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Robin Ticciati, will play “Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten” in the Mozarteum’s grand hall on 30 January. In addition, Estonia is also represented at the festival by conductor Paavo Järvi, who will conduct the music of Johannes Brahms, Mozart and Strauss at a concert by the Vienna Philharmonic.
An exhibition of photographs of Arvo Pärt at the recording of “Adam’s Lament” by Kaupo Kikkas in collaboration with the Arvo Pärt Centre will also be open to visitors.
“Silhouette” and Symphony No. 4, among others, will be performed by the Bruckner Orchestra on 31 January at the Wiener Musikverein.
The festival dates back to 1956 and in addition to the works of Mozart it also focuses on te other composers of his time, including the works of Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach and Muzio Clementi. In addition, the festival this year celebrates the 300th birthday of Christoph Willibald Gluck. The festival is organised by the Salzburg Mozarteum Foundation, founded in 1841.
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Source: Arvo Pärt Centre
