Festival Mozart in Havana

By: Maritza Mariana Hernández

With the Flute Concerto No. 1 in G major, KV 313, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, performed with exquisite virtuosity by relevant Cuban flautist Niurka González, accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of the University of Arts associated to the Lyceum Mozartiano of Havana, started in the Cuban capital city the Festival Mozart Habana 2015.

During the opening gala, that took place at the Cathedral of Havana, was listened to for the first time in Cuba the Great Mass in C minor composed by the genius of Salzburg, the only piece of religious style from the Austrian musician that he wrote by his own inspiration and that broke the canons of the genre’s compositions at that time.

The majority of the compositions of that type were commissioned but Mozart decided to make it in the same way as the cantatas with solos, duets, trios, quartets.

In the inauguration, the Ambassador of the European Union to Cuba, Honorable Mr. Herman Portocarero, stated the presence of the European Union in Cuba and in the capital has an important cultural component, without forgetting the link of its projects with the social context and the life of the capital.

Deputy minister of Culture of Cuba, Fernando Rojas, referred to the master classes offered during these three years in the Lyceum, as part of the project, by famous European professors summoned by the Mozarteum University of Salzburg: “This, undoubtedly, has strengthened the juvenile orchestra distinguished by its high level and well known prestige in the Island and other regions of the world”.

“Our greatest interest is for the Festival to be established and that the work of Mozart be the pretext to gather Cuban artists and from other parts of the world to do and to enjoy the music”, he said.

On his part, the president of the Mozarteum Foundation of Salzburg, Dr. Johannes Honsing, indicated that “everybody knows how a child’s eyes look while opening a present. That’s how I feel today. You, young people, are presenting us with this unique moment, thank you very much from the heart”. “I have to say –he added– that this is the most amazing moment, both for the Foundation and for the city and the musicians to whom belong this event”.

The Festival Mozart-Habana 2015—from October 16 to 24—brings to the concert halls of the oldest zone of Havana, prestigious musicians like clarinetist Florent Heau, violinist Renaud Capuçon and viola player Gerard Caussé, from France.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) is considered one of the most influential composers of the history. His work covers all the genres at that time and includes more than 600 creations.

Source: Cubarte