Music Review: Mozart by Candlelight at the Victoria Hall, Hanley

THE Mozart Festival Orchestra has been touring its successful Mozart By Candlelight concert for the past 11 years, proving the composer's music is as popular now as it's always been.

With a programme including his dramatic Overture to Don Giovanni, charming Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, irreplaceable Clarinet Concerto in A Major, moving Piano Concerto No.21 and wholesome Symphony No.41, the evening was set to be as atmospheric and memorable as its title suggested.

So, with 'electric' candles lighting the orchestra and the stage lights blaring full power on its players, Mozart By Candlelight took the audience back to the 18th century with full-period costume and precise orchestration.

Directed by Robert Howarth, who impressively conducted from the piano during his performance of the familiar Piano Concerto, the concert began well with the Overture to Don Giovanni. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik followed, which most audience members would have instantly recognised, providing a delicate introduction to the Clarinet Concerto performed, on this occasion, by Christopher Swann.

Despite showing indications that his instrument may not have been on its best behaviour, this performance was an authentic interpretation, with the main themes, particularly in the second movement, singing out loud and clear.

A sign of how times have changed came next with a subtle performance of the composer's Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major – highlighting how the music would have sounded over 200 years ago.

The impressive Jupiter symphony finished the night off well and while it was a shame the concert wasn't as atmospheric as it could have been, the music, as they say, spoke for itself.

Liz Rowley