Baroque Music Community and Educational Trust of New Zealand presents:

Travel Through Time Chamber Series – Back to Classic

Mozart: Celebrating 270 Years Since His Birth

Join us for a vibrant journey into the heart of the Classical era, as we celebrate 270 years since the birth of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart—one of the most beloved and influential composers in Western music. This programme invites you to step “Back to Classic,” exploring the elegance, wit, and expressive depth of the late 18th and early 19th centuries through the intimate and captivating medium of the piano trio.

Performed by an outstanding ensemble—Gabriel Baird (piano), Jonathan Tanner (violin), and Tomas Hurnik (cello)—this concert brings together both celebrated masterpieces and rarely heard gems, offering audiences a rich and varied musical experience.

We open with Joseph Haydn’s Piano Trio No. 35 in A major, a work full of charm, brilliance, and playful dialogue between the instruments. Often referred to as the “father of the piano trio,” Haydn sets the stage with music that is both refined and joyfully inventive.

The programme then introduces a delightful discovery: Piano Trio No. 6, Op. 16 by Kammel, a lesser-known but engaging work that reflects the flourishing musical culture surrounding Mozart and Haydn. Its lyrical warmth and classical clarity make it a hidden treasure worth hearing.

At the centre of the programme is Mozart’s Piano Trio in G major, K. 564, a work of effortless grace and subtle sophistication. Written in his final years, this trio captures Mozart’s mature voice—intimate, conversational, and deeply expressive, with each instrument sharing equally in the musical narrative.

Following the interval, we turn to Beethoven’s Variations, Op. 121a, a work that bridges the Classical and Romantic worlds. With imagination and emotional depth, Beethoven transforms a simple theme into a series of contrasting and characterful variations, showcasing his unmistakable voice.

We conclude with Franz Krommer’s Piano Trio in E-flat major, Op. 84 No. 1, a vibrant and virtuosic work that reflects the evolving style of the early 19th century. Full of energy, lyricism, and brilliance, it provides a fitting and uplifting finale to this journey through time.

This concert is a celebration not only of Mozart’s legacy, but of the rich musical world that surrounded him—a world of innovation, beauty, and timeless expression. Whether you are a long-time lover of classical music or discovering it for the first time, we warmly invite you to experience this engaging and inspiring programme.

Performances will take place in Oamaru, Timaru, and Christchurch.

Book now and be part of this special celebration.