For the 15th consecutive year, the College of Music at Michigan State University will honor the brilliance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with its cherished Happy birthday, Mozart! concert. Taking place on Monday, Jan. 27, at 7:30 p.m. in Fairchild Theatre, this one-night-only event is a highlight of the college’s Joanne and Bill Church West Circle Series and its most popular chamber music concert of the season.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time, Mozart’s prolific catalog ensures that each year’s concert offers a fresh perspective on his genius. The upcoming concert will feature Piano Four-Hands Sonata in D major (K381), a lively and elegant work full of interplay between two pianists; Sonata for Violin and Piano in B-flat major (K454), a dramatic and richly expressive piece that highlights the balance between violin and piano; and Clarinet Quintet in A major (K581), one of Mozart’s most beloved chamber works, celebrated for its lush melodies and the clarinet’s vibrant tonal beauty.
Featured instrumentalists include a stellar lineup of MSU artist-faculty: Suren Bagratuni, cello; Dmitri Berlinsky, violin; Young Hyun Cho, piano; Stanislav Khristenko, piano; Yvonne Lam, violin; Tamar Mikeladze, piano; Eric Nowlin, viola; and Mingzhe Wang, basset clarinet.
“We are delighted to honor Mozart’s timeless genius with this cherished annual concert,” said Deborah Moriarty, director of the West Circle Series. “This year’s concert actually takes place on the day of Mozart’s 269th birthday, Jan. 27, making the celebration extra special.”
As is tradition, the celebration will conclude with birthday cookies and an opportunity for concertgoers to mingle with the performers. Looking ahead, the West Circle Series concludes its season with Whirlwinds on Monday, April 7, also in Fairchild Theatre.
This concert is generously sponsored by the Stanley and Selma Hollander Endowment for Chamber Music, with special thanks to Joanne and Bill Church for their continued support of the West Circle Series.
Reserved seating for this and other concerts in the Joanne and Bill Church West Circle Series are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors (age 60 and older), and $7 for students and those under 18 with valid ID, and can be purchased online, by calling (517) 353-5340, or at the door. More information on these and other events in the 2024-25 MSU Music Season can be found at music.msu.edu/events.
