Mozart, Beethoven and some of their contemporaries build the frame for Alon Sariel's programme „Bohemian Serenade“, accompanied by the young, acclaimed Consone Quartet from the United Kingdom.

The musicians expertise on period instruments will lead the listeners to works from and around one of the richest and most fruitful artistic regions in 18th century Europe: Bohemia. Beyond that, to a group of instrumental virtuosos and composers at the turn of the century and to the peak of the mandolin, which was a favourite of the time.

Famous pianist Jan Ladislav Dussek was a true cosmopolitan and his biography at times might read like an adventure novel. Besides his accomplishments on the piano, glass harmonica and as composer, Dussek, coming from a small Bohemian town, yet born into a family of professional musicians, lead a life at important European courts in Paris, St. Petersburg and Milan and later settled in London.

Few years later, between Vienna and the Rhineland grows the companionship of Beethoven and the virtuosic pianist Ferdinand Ries, who acted for several years as Beethoven's secretary and trusted friend. For decades almost forgotten as a composer, Ferdinand Ries was re-discovered again in the 20th century. His flute quartets - from whose quartet n° 1 Alon Sariel borrows and adapts a temperamental Allegro all' espagnola for the mandolin - where originally written in London and may want to refer to Mozart's unique output for this ensemble type.

Giovanni Francesco Giuliani is among the Italian composers who have left us plenty of works for the mandolin. His lifelong activities at the court in Florence fell in a flourishing period for the arts, where also the young Mozart and his father were received in 1770 by Grand Duke Peter Leopold.

Few do we know about the life and career of Johann Andreas Kauchlitz who adapted his name in later years to Colizzi. Born in Eastern Bohemia he was active as music teacher of the Dutch king William I in The Hague before he moved to Leiden, where he died in 1808 - not before bestowing us with a wonderful mandolin concerto.

The ensemble's journey to a time period and places with the most amazing masters of the classical period promises to be one of well-known melodies and surprising discoveries.

Audio ‘taste’

Mandolin concerto by Kauchlitz/Colizzi (1742–1808)

Ladislav Dussek - Quartet for Mandolin and String Trio in G Major

Beethoven - Sonatina No.37 in G (mandolin & string trio)

W.A.Mozart | Divertimento K.334 - Minuet/Trio/Minuet

Picture Marc Rodenberg