Beethoven's Pastoral

AHE is well known for unearthing historical chamber versions of the classics. In this program we bring you both drama and joy with two of the greats in chamber version; Beethoven’s Pastoral symphony and Mozart’s Haffner Serenade, along with Boccherini’s beautiful string sextet.

Beethoven often criticised chamber versions of his own works by other composers. Watt’s c. 1810 arrangement of Beethoven’s Pastoral is an exception – a vibrant and passionate reinterpretation of this famous work.

Mozart’s Serenade in D major or the Haffner Serenade was commissioned by Mozart’s friend, Sigmund Haffner, for the wedding of his sister in 1776. Masi’s arrangement, which we will play for you in Berry, reflects Mozart’s own shortened version of the Serenade, capturing brightness, joy and celebration, as befits a wedding.

AHE also performs a beautiful, dark and moving string sextet by Luigi Boccherini – taking a journey full of drama, melancholy and dance.

The magic of this concert is in the instrumentation of the Beethoven and Mozart masterworks. Both are arranged for a septet, including strings, double bass and flute.

Rarely heard, these beautiful arrangements bring colour, light, shade and drama, allowing contemporary audiences to hear this much loved music in a whole new way.

Program

BOCCHERINI
String Sextet in F minor
Op. 23 No. 4 G. 457

MOZART
Serenade in D major
Haffner Serenade
K. 250 Selections
(c. 1810 arr. Masi)

BEETHOVEN
Symphony No. 6 in F major
Op. 68 Pastoral
(c. 1810 arr. Watts)