This cracker of a concert is jam-packed with stormy sounds and hurtling horsehair. AHE plays two key works from Mozart — with Artistic Director Skye McIntosh performing Mozart’s 3rd Violin Concerto and his 29th symphony — Haydn’s La Passione Symphony and a less familiar but just as exciting work by their Czech contemporary, J B Vanhal.

Artistic Director and soloist Skye McIntosh has chosen two perennial favourites containing some of Mozart’s loveliest writing, arguably the first time it crossed the line from “gifted” to “immortal”. The concerto’s celebrated Adagio is a ravishing aria without words, the violin soaring over the flutes and muted strings, while the A major symphony, from its delectable opening to its galloping finale, is uninterruptedly joyous.

Haydn’s 49th Symphony, The Passion, by contrast, is seriously dramatic, with the nervous energy of CPE Bach, but also seems to look backwards to the Italian baroque; its cascading passages, with horns blazing, conjuring Titian-like dark skies.

Johann Vanhal was admired by both composers, and not just because of his enviable rise from serfdom (literally) to rich, self-made freelancer. His quintessential Sturm und Drang  symphonies were very influential on their minor-key masterworks.

A dazzling evening from a 21st-century ensemble of period instrument soloists to rival Haydn’s beloved band.

PROGRAM

VANHAL Symphony in G minor Bryan G1

MOZART Symphony No. 29 in A Major K. 201

MOZART Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major K. 216

HAYDN Symphony No. 49 in F minor The Passion

ARTISTS

Skye McIntosh – Director & Violin Soloist

The Australian Haydn Ensemble – with a period instrument orchestra made up of 18 specialist musicians playing with gut strings, 18th century bows, classical period oboes, horns, flutes and bassoons onstage.

CONCERT DATES

Sydney | Sunday 1 December | 4 PM | City Recital Hall
Australian Digital Concert Hall | Sunday 1 December | 4 PM
Canberra | Monday 2 December | 7 PM | Gandel Hall, National Gallery of Australia
Southern Highlands | Tuesday 3 December | 7 PM | Bowral Memorial Hall

This concert will also be live streamed on Australian Digital Concert Hall: $25 tickets here >>