The Santa Barbara Symphony’s Music & Artistic Director, Nir Kabaretti, has come up with yet another brilliant idea! He calls this one the “Mozart Marathon” (which, notwithstanding the allure of alliteration, would be better described as a “festival”); and instead of the usual Symphony practice of one program played twice, the Marathon will be comprised of two separate programs, played once each, both conducted by Nir Kabaretti, both at the Granada Theater.
Actually, the Maestro had two great ideas, the other one being to use the Symphony’s rich pool of virtuoso players as soloists, rather than outsource the roles.
The first program, performed at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, consists of Mozart’s:
The Overture to the opera, “Der Schauspieldirektor/The Impresario, K.486 (1786)”; “Concerto for Flute, Harp, and Orchestra in C-Major, K. 299 (1778)”; “Violin Concerto No. 4 in D-Major, K. 218 (1775)”; and “Symphony No. 35 in D-Major, ‘Haffner,” K.385 (1782),” with Jessica Guideri (violín), Amy Tatum (flute), and Michell Temple (harp).
The second program, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, includes:
“Serenade No. 13 for String Quartet & Double Bass in G major, ‘Eine kleine Nachtmusik,’ K. 525 (1787)”; “Oboe Concerto in C-Major, K. 314 (1777)”; “Symphony No. 51 in D-Major, K.196/121 (1774-1775)”; and “Piano Concerto No. 23 in A-Major, K. 488 (1786),” with Natasha Kislenko (piano) and Lara Wickes (oboe).
Maestro Kabaretti observes: “Mozart’s work offers endless possibilities to explore his genius, which is why creating these programs for the community was both a challenge and a joy. Experiencing our extraordinary principal musicians as guest soloists not only provides audiences with beautiful examples of Mozart’s incredible range but also brings into the spotlight the virtuosity and passion of our Symphony family.”
No composer embodies the impenetrable mystery of musical inspiration more completely than Mozart—and no artist exemplifies more accurately my golden rule that “It is not the artist, it’s the art.” No biography can ever account for the miracle of “Don Giovanni” or the serene perfection of the “Symphony No. 40 in g-minor, K. 550 (1788).” In his letters, Mozart displays refined sensibilities and delicate insights, but gives us no clues as to where these come from. In his conversation, as reported, he was often crude and scatological. It’s a puzzle we’ll never solve, but, fortunately, we don’t have to: there is the music.
I’m congenitally shy of using words like “greatest,” “best,” “most,” and the like, but when I hear the opening strains of the A-Major piano concerto, I am sorely tempted to throw off the straightjacket of moderation and proclaim it the most beautiful music ever written. Usually, I come to my senses. As the great Robert Craft said of another Mozart piano concerto: “It is just another perfect mansion in the Kingdom of Mozart.”
Tickets to each program of the Mozart Marathon are $42-$205, and can be purchased at the Granada Box Office online (www.ticketing.granadasb.org/19058/19077), by phone at 805.899.2222, or in person at 1214 State St. For more information, visit www.TheSymphony.org or call 805.898.9386.
Discounts: Patrons who purchase tickets for both performances, subscribers and groups of 10 or more are eligible for discounts.