MSU annual concert honors the music of Mozart

The Michigan State University College of Music celebrates the enduring legacy of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with its annual Happy Birthday, Mozart! concert at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 in Fairchild Theatre of the MSU Auditorium. A longtime patron favorite, the concert is part of the Joanne and Bill Church West Circle Series and remains one of the College’s most anticipated chamber music events each season.

Marking Mozart’s 270th birthday, the evening features celebrated works performed by MSU musicians, including the Sonata for Piano Four Hands in B-flat Major, the Quintet in E-flat Major for Piano and Winds, and the Serenade in C Minor for Winds. Together, these selections highlight the elegance and expressive depth of Mozart’s writing as well as the remarkable range of instrumental combinations that define his chamber music.

“This program reflects the extraordinary breadth of Mozart’s repertoire,” said Deborah Moriarty, professor of piano and director of the West Circle Series. “There is such range and depth in his chamber works, and it is a pleasure to collaborate with MSU musicians to bring this music to life and to connect with audiences who value the intimacy and richness of this repertoire.”

Performers include MSU pianists Deborah Moriarty and Tamar Mikeladze; clarinetists Guy Yehuda, Tasha Warren, and Minghze Wang; oboists John DeBiase and Nermis Mieses; bassoonists Michael Kroth and Sierra Watson; and horn players Alex Delperdang and Corbin Wagner.

As is tradition, the concert concludes with birthday cookies for the audience, an informal and inviting way to mark Mozart’s birthday.

Earlier concerts in the series featured Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons and the music of Beethoven. Following Happy Birthday, Mozart!, the series concludes on April 13 with an anniversary celebration, USA at 250 Years, highlighting composers who helped shape American music and the nation’s cultural identity.

This article originally appeared on College of Music website. Find ticket and more information here.