Page 500 - Liverpool Philharmonic 22-23 Season Coverage Book

12 June 2023
Mozart’s Double Concerto – Liverpool

Philharmonic

Mozart’s Double Concerto, performed by pianists Katia and Marielle Labéque, accompanied
by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Karel Deseure, is preceded by
Dvořák’s The Wood Dove and followed by Prokofiev’s Symphony No.3 to create a magical
and dramatic afternoon of music.

The opening of The Wood Dove features a lovely contrast of heavy bass and percussion and
light woodwind. This proceeds into a repetitive double bass and cello section which guides
the rest of the orchestra along the progression. Gentle cymbals add a sense of drama as the
piece moves into a march with a military feeling as the intricate brass blends with ominous
pizzicato to create a sense of eerie magic. The piece is ideal for the summer creating a feeling
of the world waking up, and a sense of drama and magic that feels like it’s straight out of a
fairy tale.

Mozart’s Double Concerto continues which warm theme with its festive opening. The gentle
piano contrasts with the rest of the powerful orchestra. Katia and Marielle Labéque’s choice
to sit facing each other and wear contrasting black and white clothing creates a call and
response feeling in the piece. The second movement is much softer than the first, giving the
sense of an enchanted evening after merriment before the final movement finishes with a
sense of fun combined with light drama and intimacy.