Mozart Happening

E.T.A. Hoffmann knew it. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, this professional German fantasist drew up a musical statement in which he concluded that music succeeded in "exposing a deeper, more intimate nature". In an attempt to give weight to his theory, he even named names: Haydn and Mozart. These are the talented and brilliant composers that, in his view, prompted the Romantic longing for the inexpressible. However, there was a difference between the two: whereas Haydn "understood the art of giving Romantic expression to what is human about life" Mozart went "to the core of the spiritual". With a Haydn Happening already behind us, it is thus the turn of Mozart in 2013. Mindful of the youth of this genius, we have opted for a happening with a great deal of young talent. As has been the custom of late, the Orkestacademie kicks off with sparkling orchestral music, this time under the baton of Philippe Herreweghe. The congeniality of Mozart's most fairy-tale piano concerto - with Frank Braley as 'jeunehomme' - is set off by the verve of the 'Haffner Symphony'. The twists and turns of Mozart's life have prompted the Theatre students at the Antwerp Royal Conservatoire, directed by Lucas Vandervost, to get their teeth into 'Mozart and Salieri', a mini-tragedy by Alexander Pushkin. And there are even more young people on the podium, this time in the persons of Liesbeth Devos and Lucas Blondeel, who bring a selection from the rich catalogue of Mozart's songs and arias. Slightly older, but not yet long in the tooth, are the gentlemen of the Jerusalem Quartet, playing a couple of scintillating quartets. Pianist Frank Braley chips in with some of the finest of Mozart's keyboard works, and the young bloods of Pius X and De Veerman give us a snapshot of what Mozart is currently inspiring. To round off the proceedings, and to take us to the innermost core of the spiritual, there is a performance of Mozart's finest oratorio, 'Davide Penitente'. 11.30 am / Blue Hall The Orkestacademie conducted by Philippe Herreweghe Frank Braley piano Concerto No. 9 in E flat for piano and orchestra, KV271 'Jeunehomme' Symphony No. 35 in D, KV385 'Haffner' 2 pm / Blue Hall Students of the Royal Conservatoire, Antwerp Sonata in D for two pianos, KV448 Quintet in E flat for piano and wind instruments, KV452 2 pm / Black Hall Students of the Royal Conservatoire, Antwerp Lucas Vandervost director play: 'Mozart and Salieri' (Pushkin) 3 pm / Blue Hall Liesbeth Devos soprano and Lucas Blondeel piano Selected songs 4 pm / Blue Hall Jerusalem Quartet String Quartet No. 22 in B flat, KV589 String Quartet No. 15 in D minor, KV421 5.30 pm / Blue Hall Frank Braley piano Variations in C on 'Ah! vous dirai-je, maman', KV265 Fantasy in C minor, KV475 Sonata No. 14 in C minor, KV457 6.30 pm / Music Studio Snapshot, Pius X and De Veerman 6.30 pm / Black Hall Students of the Royal Conservatoire, Antwerp Lucas Vandervost director Play: 'Mozart and Salieri' (Pushkin) (repeat of the 2 pm programme) 8.30 pm / Blue Hall deFilharmonie and Collegium Vocale Gent Conducted by Philippe Herreweghe Sophie Karthäuser, Marianne Beate Kielland sopranos Benjamin Hullett tenor Symphony No. 39 in E flat, KV543 Davide Penitente, KV469