Piano and violin set to return for more Mozart magic in Perth Concert Hall

Dec 9 2011 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

TWO of Europe’s leading Mozart exponents, pianist Susan Tomes and violinist Erich Höbarth, wowed their Perth Concert Hall audience last month with the first in a series of four concerts exploring the way Mozart, a pianist himself, branched out from solo piano music to include other instruments in his chamber music.

PA Arts reviewer Ian Stuart-Hunter was so taken by the series launchpad that he enthused: “Since the opening of Perth Concert Hall, last Friday evening’s concert was the one which has given both the purest musical delightful”, “last Friday’s sonatas showed both a beauty and a mastery” and “... this was pleasure from start to finish.”

And Ian gave a word of advice to classical music-lovers: “As this cycle is unique in Britain to Perth Concert Hall it is bound to become a sought-after ticket.”

The time is nigh for the second concert in the series, curated by Susan who has programmed each concert to contain a major piano solo work as well as three of Mozart’s sonatas in which the central piano is joined by the violin.

On Wednesday at 7.30pm this second concert of Mozart music will comprise three sonatas for piano and violin and one for piano.

Susan, who grew up in Edinburgh and is now London-based, was making her Perth Concert Hall debut for last month’s series opener: “The hall is very impressive and it has such a lovely piano to play.

“So good are the acoustics for piano that I felt I could try to do fine detail for the audience to hear which is not always the case.”

It was a spur-of-the-moment idea from Susan which led to this unique experience coming to Perth.

Susan explained: “James Walters and I were having supper in London and in conversation it came up that James was artistic director for classical music at Perth Concert Hall.

“Off the top of my head I said I would love to do the Mozart series with Erich.

“James said I should go ahead if I could persuade Erich to come over from Vienna to do it. Happily, Erich said he would like to do it.

“It’s very complicated to find the time, and because we’re doing a series rather than a block of concerts, it means we both have a lot of travelling to do. For Erich it’s a long, complicated journey from Vienna to Perth!

“We would really appreciate Perth concert-goers supporting us in this series!”

Susan explained why Mozart appeals so much to her: “I’ve always been a fan of Mozart from when I was a child. Although I’ve played music by so many other composers, I always come back to Mozart as the one I really want to play.

“His music has such an incredible blend and balance of emotions, everything from the happiest to the most sorrowful without being egotistical. He shows the emotions of music without showing off!”

Tickets for the second of Susan Tomes’ and Erich Höbarth’s concerts on Wednesday are available from the concert hall box office, telephone 01738 621031, online at www.horsecross.co.uk and on the night of the performance.