Centre Stage: Beethoven & Mozart

We begin this lunchtime performance with a playful and rhythmically disciplined sextet by Beethoven. You will hear how he treats the two horns as a paired unit, often moving in parallel harmonies against the four strings to create a sound that mimics the grandeur of an orchestra within a smaller frame. Following a selection of Brahms songs, the programme concludes with Mozart’s distinctive quintet. Unlike a standard string quartet, this arrangement uses two violas, providing a rich and slightly darker middle texture that supports the horn’s melodic lines. Listen for the final movement, where the horn is required to skip through rapid, agile passages that were originally intended to test the skills of a close friend of the composer. Throughout the hour, the dialogue shifts between the bright, hunting-call heritage of the brass and the refined, singing quality of the strings.

The musicians appearing today are members of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble widely respected for its high technical standards and broad symphonic reach. Here, horn players Elspeth Dutch and Neil Shewan join violinists Charlotte Skinner and Bryony Morrison, violists Jessica Tickle and Isobel Doncaster, and cellist Miguel Fernandes. In these smaller chamber groupings, you can expect to hear the individual artistry and precision these players usually bring to the full orchestral stage. They are well-versed in the classical and romantic repertoire, frequently performing in flexible configurations at their home base in the city.

This performance takes place at the CBSO Centre in Birmingham and lasts approximately sixty minutes. Given the shorter duration and the mid-day slot, it is an excellent choice for first-time listeners or those who prefer a concise concert experience. The setting is informal and focused on the music; there is no specific dress code for this event. Since the music is purely instrumental, there are no languages to follow or surtitles. We recommend arriving in time to settle into the auditorium, as these lunchtime sessions are designed to provide a brief, high-quality pause in the working day.