1 Adagio-Allegro

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, taught by his father, began composing at age five, was famous around Europe by the age of eight and, by his death at age 35 had displayed genius in everything he wrote. Mozart wrote this duo for violin and viola during a visit to see his father in 1783. Mozart was living in Vienna and at the centre of its thriving musical life. He had married Constanze but his father, still in Salzburg, had not met her or heard from his son in a while. The visit was fraught and Mozart took refuge in work. In this piece Mozart is able to make the two instruments sound at times like many more, and for the first time ever, the viola is placed on an equal platform with the violin. The opening movement begins with a slow introduction before the main 'allegro' speed is established with a series of lovely, connected melodies.

_{Note by Rachel Leach}

2 Allegretto scherzando

Italian composer Antonio Bartolomeo Bruni was a direct contemporary of Mozart. Although he was born and died in Cuneo, Italy, he lived and worked all his adult life in Paris. He was a prolific composer for both the violin and the viola. He wrote over 21 duos for this combination, probably for his many students to play, and invented a ‘viola method’ for advanced players. His knowledge and love of the viola meant that in his duos the two instruments are treated equally. His other ‘claim to fame’ is that he collected and recorded a vast list of instruments and music confiscated from the nobility during the French revolution. This went on to be the basis of the Paris Conservatoire music library.

_{Note by Rachel Leach}

Johan Halvorsen was a Norwegian composer and conductor who rose up through the musical ranks, from violinist to concertmaster to conductor and then finally, composer. He was a prominent figure in Norway alongside his uncle-by-marriage, Edvard Grieg. This is one of his most famous pieces and is based on a harpsichord piece by Handel. A sarabande is a dance in three-time. This one has a stately, melancholic feel. Variation is another term for ‘version’. The composer makes a series of versions of the original theme exploring different techniques and textures and often getting more virtuosic with each one.

_{Note by Rachel Leach}

Sakura-Sakura – or Cherry Blossoms, Cherry Blossoms – is a traditional Japanese folk song depicting the spring cherry blossom season. Long thought to be an ancient tune, scholars now think it actually originated in the 1700s. It is often used as a musical indicator of all things Japanese. It uses the pentatonic (five-note) scale associated with traditional Japanese instruments and it is easy to sing and play on any instrument. This set of variations was arranged by Japanese composer Kae Hirakawa.

_{Note by Rachel Leach}

Thank you for joining us for this Relaxed Lunchtime Performance.

Please let us know what you thought of the concert by completing a short survey. We would love to hear your thoughts.

Friday 15 March 2024

Featuring music by LSO Soundhub Associates.

Hollie Harding Fondue
Emma-Kate Matthews After Image (world premiere)
John Aulich But the winds, but the spaces (world premiere)
Euchar Gravina medea (world premiere, version for tape and percussion)

Rachel Leach presenter
Neil Percy  percussion
Sam Walton  percussion

The next Relaxed concert takes place on Friday 7 June 2024 at 12.30pm.

LSO Create Monday Club, LSO Discovery’s participatory collective of neurodivergent adults and supporters, take over the Relaxed concert and present works devised and performed by players from the group alongside LSO musicians.

Repertoire and performers to be announced in due course.