Lots of Beethoven, some Haydn and a little Mozart (Johannesburg) - John Reid Coulter and the African Renaissance Ensemble

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African Renaissance Productions presents a concert of chamber music by Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven.

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Listen to the masters as they were meant to be heard.

In the time of Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven, the piano (as we know) it did not exist yet. John Reid Coulter presents a programme featuring members of the African Renaissance Ensemble on Mandolin, Violin, Cello and Voice accompanied by the Fortepiano.

This programme of intimate chamber music will include two seldom heard works for mandolin and fortepiano, as well as four Irish and Scottish folksong settings for soprano and piano trio by Beethoven. The works by Mozart include the Rondo in D for fortepiano and ‘Die Zufriendenheit’ for soprano and mandolin. Also to be heard will be Haydn’s fortepiano concerto in G major. This charming work is typical of the 18^th century ‘ Conversazione’ or ‘Conversation Galante’, in that the players are engaged in constant civilized, dialogue with each other; much the same as in the Viennese and Parisian Salons.

The fortepiano used was built by John Reid Coulter in 1986 and is copy of a fortepiano by the famous Augsburg builder Stein ca. 1785. Although Beethoven was more familiar with later Viennese instruments by Walther, and Haydn had his own preference for fortepianos by Schantz; they would have been familiar with particular qualities of Stein’s fortepianos. It is precisely this type of fortepiano by Stein with which Mozart became enamoured.    

John Reid Coulter – fortepiano

with

Esté Meerkotter – soprano

Adam Golding – mandolin

Ute Smythe & Tanya Spiller – violins

Margot Smythe – violoncello 

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