The Hallé Orchestra, Ryan Wigglesworth, Elizabeth Watts

Programme:
Mozart - Aria for soprano, piano and orchestra: Ch’io mi scordi di te (7’)
Mozart - Symphony No.34 (19')
Mahler - Symphony No.4 (55')

Acclaimed soprano Elizabeth Watts joins the versatile Ryan Wigglesworth in Mozart’s aria for voice, piano and orchestra Ch’io mi scordi di te (‘Should I forget you’).

The two soloists interact exquisitely in one of the greatest declarations of love in all music. Mozart’s C major symphony was also influenced by opera and exudes both tenderness and impish humour. Elizabeth returns in the second half of the concert as soloist in Mahler’s magnificent Fourth Symphony.

The first movement recalls Mozart’s classical style, the second evokes the grim fiddler of German folklore and the third is a sublime slow movement. Finally comes a setting of poetry depicting a child’s vision of paradise, with sweets in profusion and bread baked by angels.