Bath Mozartfest

As the days shorten and leaves begin to fall, music-lovers across the region turn their attention to the annual Bath Mozartfest. Each year the Mozartfest celebrates the maestro’s music, and that of his contemporaries or those influenced by him, in a glorious nine-day feast of classical music.

The Bath Mozartfest, celebrating its 21st anniversary, offers a feast of fine music-making, including master- pieces by Mozart, in some of the most inspiring buildings any festival could hope to have at their disposal. This year, we welcome some old friends back to our platforms: the Nash Ensemble, with a pair of concerts over the opening weekend, including a performance of Carnival of the Animals; the Gabrieli Consort & Players, bringing their unique approach to bear on a programme of Purcell and Britten in the sympathetic surroundings of Bath Abbey; the outstanding pianist Angela Hewitt, combining Bach with Bach-inspired Beethoven, as well as returning to play a great Mozart concerto in the closing concert by the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Hannu Lintu. The Sitkovetsky Piano Trio, having given exceptional lunchtime recitals in the last two festivals, this year returns for an evening concert of three master trios in the Assembly Rooms. The same venue sees a visit by the English Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of its gifted leader Stephanie Gonley. We welcome the Jerusalem Quartet, who are joined in their two concerts by two special guests, the pianist Alexander Melnikov and the clarinettist Paul Meyer. Susan Tomes and Erich Höbarth, both Bath favourites, present a selection of Mozart’s sonatas for piano and violin. The clarinettist Michael Collins brings his ensemble London Winds to perform masterworks by Mozart, Janácek and Beethoven.