Clarinet Celebrations
It’s clarinet virtuoso Michael Collins’ 60th birthday this year – the perfect excuse for a musical celebration with the London Mozart Players.
Michael Collins directs the London Mozart Players and takes the solo spot for two of the best-loved works in the repertoire – both inspired by friendships with great clarinettists.
Mozart composed his still unsurpassed concerto with its sublime slow movement for Anton Stadler, who performed on a basset horn (the instrument Collins plays for this work), while Weber was inspired by clarinettist and life-long friend Heinrich Baermann.
These concertos display an engaging mix of beauty, daring and virtuosity, with Weber in particular demanding leaps and runs of the soloist.
In a concert marking a milestone year, Collins brings all his dazzling artistry to these evergreen masterpieces.
Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge is Britten’s tribute to his revered teacher.
The ten variations present a musical portrait, suggesting ‘his integrity... energy... charm... wit... gaiety’ as Britten wrote on his sketches.
A tour de force for LMP’s strings under the direction of Simon Blendis, the writing is daring and inventive, frequently parodying musical forms – opera, baroque, waltzes, marches and chants – but always on a virtuosic level.
The celebratory fireworks for the occasion are provided by Jessie Montgomery’s vibrantly inventive Starburst which fizzes and explodes with excitement and colour. The perfect soundtrack for any birthday party!
‘the highest profile clarinettist of his generation in Britain'
Performers
- London Mozart Players
- Michael Collins director, clarinet, basset clarinet
- Simon Blendis director *
Repertoire
- Britten: Variations on a theme of Frank Bridge, Op.10 *
- Weber: Clarinet Concerto No.2 in E flat
- Interval
- Jessie Montgomery: Starburst *
- Mozart: Clarinet Concerto
Need to know
*Please note change of date from originally advertised
Dates & times
Price
- Standard entryFrom £15*
- Concessions25%**
* Excludes £3.50 booking fee.
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** Limited availability. Read about concessions.
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Venue
Queen Elizabeth Hall
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