Music / Mozart’s Salzburg & Linz, Australian Haydn Ensemble, Erin Helyard, pianoforte. At Gandel Hall, National Library of Australia, June 20. Reviewed by LEN POWER.

Spanning Mozart’s youth in Salzburg to his maturity in Vienna – with a brief detour to Linz – the latest concert by the Australian Haydn Ensemble (AHE) comprised four of Mozart’s works, painting a vivid portrait of a precocious talent as well as a master composer.

Playing the pianoforte for two of the works was Erin Helyard. 

The first work played by the AHE was Mozart’s String Quintet in B Flat major, K. 174, composed in Salzburg when he was just 17 years old. Played in the bright key of B flat, this was busy work full of youthful spirit and charm. In four movements, the adagio was especially memorable with its expressive instrumental solos.

The quintet of Skye McIntosh, artistic director and violin; Anna McMichael, violin; Karina Schmitz, viola; Nicole Divall, viola and Daniel Yeadon, cello, were joined by Pippa Macmillan, double bass; Melissa Farrow, flute and Helyard for Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 11 in F major K. 413 in an arrangement by Helyard.

This work in three movements, first performed in 1783, was beautifully played, especially the sublime slow second movement.

After interval, Helyard played Mozart’s Piano Sonata in B flat major K.333 (Linz). 

It has been suggested that Mozart composed this work during a stopover in Linz on the way home to Vienna from Salzburg. This charming work in three movements was given a superb performance by Helyard. As well as showing his technical mastery of the instrument, Helyard’s body language drew you deeply into the performance. With sudden smiles to himself, a cocked eyebrow or a quick look to the audience, he underlined moments in the music that he seemed to particularly enjoy playing, sharing that joy with us.

The AHE group of seven then returned to the stage for the final work of the program, Mozart’s Symphony No. 36 in C major K. 425 (Linz). Written in Linz in just four days, this work in four movements is bright, majestic and inventive. It was given a rousing performance by the AHE, the romantic second movement being a standout.

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