Mature Mozart

New Zealand Listener, Volume 29, Issue 737, 28 August 1953, Page 8

Mature Mozart

HOUGH five of Mozart’s six piano trios belong to the period of his maturity they are probably among the least known of his works. They are seldom heard, though the trios of his friend Haydn appear regularly in recital programmies, Lovers of chamber music are therefore getting something rather special in the broadcasts of these trios which began this week (August 24) from 2YC, and will continue weekly on Mondays until all six have been heard. The so-called sixth was, in fact, the first Mozart wrote-in August, 1776. Two of the others were written in 1786, and the remaining three in 1788, the year in which Mozart’s last three great symphonies were written. The five trios of his maturity have much of the style of the piano solos of the piano concerti written in the last 10 years of the composer’s life. The one to be heard next from 2YC-at 8.40 p.m. on August 31 -is No. 2 in B Flat Major, K.502. These recordings are on long-playing discs, and the same artists are heard in the complete series. These are. the pianist Agi Jambor, well known to European audiences and in United States for his solo recitals and appearances with major orchestras; Victor Aitay (violin), concert master of the Metropolitan ~Opera Company, and widely known as a virtuoso; and Janos Starker (cello), well known in European concert halls and now first ’cellist of the Metropolitan Opera House Orchestra.