Mozart magic at Lichtenberg Castle: Serenade delights young and old!

Mozart magic at Lichtenberg Castle: Serenade delights young and old!

Last Saturday, the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was heard at the picturesque Lichtenberg Castle as the West Palatinate Symphony Orchestra performed as part of the Kusel Music Association's annual serenade concerts. The summery backdrop provided the perfect setting for an evening full of classical sounds and exciting performances.

The concert featured a program full of well-known masterpieces, with Symphony No. 38 in D major, also known as the “Prague Symphony,” being the highlight. This impressive composition, which was written in 1786, was written by Mozart for two flutes, two oboes, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, timpani and strings and, rather unusually for the time, has not a minuet movement, but three movements: an Adagio - Allegro, an Andante and a lively Presto. Wikipedia) states that the premiere of this symphony took place on January 19, 1787 in Prague, where musical culture was particularly flourishing at that time.

Artistic achievements and new impulses

The Romanian guest conductor Laurentiu Candea, who led the orchestra for the first time, left a lasting impression. He took over the musical direction after Thomas Germain retired. Candea, who directs the Collegium Musicale in Bad Kreuznach, was enthusiastic about the enthusiasm of the approximately 30-member orchestra, which brought the works to life with great passion.

Another highlight was the performance by soloist Youri Rizov, who shone with Mozart's Horn Concerto No. 3 in E flat major. The concert, originally composed for the well-known Salzburg horn player Johann Leutgeb, includes a dreamy romance and a hunting finale that captivated the audience with its dynamic sounds. During the break, Rizov finally introduced a traditional natural horn, which caused additional enthusiasm.

A successful evening for classical music lovers

The evening began with the overture to the opera “Mitridate, re di Ponto” and found its festive conclusion in the fourth movement from Mozart’s “Posthorn Serenade”. Cellist Dietmar Warkus, who moderated the event, created a relaxed atmosphere with his charming manner and imitation of the Viennese dialect that captivated the listeners. The Kusel Music Association is still looking for a new permanent conductor, and Candea has already expressed interest in conducting again at future concerts.

The “Prague Symphony” is a great example of Mozart's advances in symphonic technique, as summarized by the Mozart Project. It is a sign of his creative phase, in which he created more than 600 works and made a significant contribution to the music of the classicist era. An evening full of music that won the hearts of both classical music lovers and newcomers!