More Early Music

We were treated to another early music concert yesterday, again played on authentic early instruments.  This one was from the classical era with works by Handel and Mozart while last week's concert was a baroque orchestra.  This meant that the orchestra was slightly larger.  There were wooden flutes, valve-less 'natural' french horns.  I was also able to see the spike-less cellos which were held solely between the knees of the performers.  There was no harpsichord or organ included in the basso continuo section. 

The highlight of the concert was definitely the concerto - Mozart A Major Piano Concerto, played on a pianoforte.  Unfortunately the soloist had some issues with turning her page but she was a very strong player and luckily she didn't really need the music.  There is some debate on whether this would have happened but she joined in with the basso continuo during 'tutti' parts (where everyone is playing together). These days, the composer asks the the pianist/soloist to wait during these sections of music.

Jbird played a pianoforte in DC last year but we were in a small room and he was playing solo piano so I couldn't really observe the huge differences between a modern instrument and that early piano.  I could almost imagine being in the audience when the genius Mozart play his piece to the public for the first time.  Almost.