The enduring music of Mozart

USQ is joining with music lovers around the world this year to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth.

As part of the celebration the USQ Performance Centre will host a concert on Saturday 6 May 2006, to honour one of the most significant and enduring composers of European classical music.

Born in Vienna in 1756, Mozart was the son of one of Europe's leading music teachers, who noticed his son's musical abilities from an early age.

Senior Lecturer in Violin and USQ Orchestra Conductor, Andrew Lorenz, said this early instruction enabled Mozart to produce an immense body of work.

"Quite simply he was a genius – there is no question about it. Mozart wrote his first piece of music when he was four years old.

"He played in all the courts of Europe and for the gentry and royalty, who enjoyed seeing a young person perform.

"But the reason Mozart's music is so enduring is because it is very easy to listen to and has good melodies and people like to listen to a tune," said Andrew.

The sheer volume of Mozart's work is also impressive.

"For many years Mozart wrote music full-time for the Royal Court in Salzburg, before he had a falling out with his patron (Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg Hieronymus von Colloredo).

"Working for a patron was not unusual for the time, but the fact that he managed to do it with so much inspiration is what made him special."

In the decades following Mozart's death there were several attempts to catalogue his work, but it was not until 1862 that Ludwig von Kochel succeeded in this enterprise.

"Mozart wrote over 600 pieces of music, which are all given a K number, referring to the man who catalogued the entire collection."

On Saturday 6 May 2006, the USQ Orchestra will present a program that includes Mozart's last instrumental piece - Clarinet Concerto in A major, K622.

Program Notes:
Saturday 6 May 2006, 7.30pm - USQ Arts Theatre
Lodron Night Music in F major, K247 – 1st movement
Piano Concerto No 27 in Bb major, K595 - featuring Wendy Lorenz – Piano
Divertimento in D major, K136 – 1st & 2nd movements
Clarinet Concerto in A major, K622 - featuring Martin Crook – Clarinet

Andrew Lorenz is available to talk about the life and enduring popularity of Mozart.

Booking and ticket enquiries: Michelle Fox, USQ Box Office 4631 1111

Media Contact: Amy Cass, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2092 or +61 412 097 326