Mozart’s Symphony No. 35, also known as the Haffner Symphony, began life as a serenade to be used as background music for the ennoblement (i.e., having nobility conferred upon) of Sigmund Haffner, a well-to-do bigwig back in the 1770s. It eventually morphed (with the help of Mozart) into the Haffner Symphony, which was first performed on March 23, 1783, at the Vienna Burgtheater.
On Friday, October 21 at 8 pm with John Varineau conducting, Rick Britsch on horn, Erich Peterson on horn and Daniel Hass on cello, the performance will begin with a gracious earlier symphony written when Mozart was seventeen and had just started working for the Prince Archbishop of Salzburg. As a special treat, Israeli cellist Daniel Hass, winner of the 2016 Stulberg International String Competition in Kalamazoo, will make a guest appearance.
Here’s the program:
Mozart Symphony No. 23 in D Major, K. 181
Boccherini Concerto for Cello in B-flat Major, G. 481
Mozart Horn Concerto No. 2, K. 417
Haydn Concerto for Two Horns (3rd mvt.)
Mozart Symphony No. 35 (aka Haffner Symphony)
Royce Auditorium, St. Cecilia Music Center is located at 24 Ransom Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
