A Classical Evening with Garry Walker, ORT & Mozart

Acclaimed Scottish conductor Garry Walker will be returning to Florence to conduct the Orchestra della Toscana on Thursday, May 4 at Teatro Verdi (via Ghibellina, 9 pm). It will definitely be an evening of major musical names, both in the contemporary classical music scene as well as historically. The performance will largely be dedicated to Mozart but will also highlight the work of Jacques Ibert and Franz Schubert.

The concert commences with Jacques Ibert’s Homage to Mozart. This work was composed in 1955 and the influence of Mozart is evident in this piece. Ibert was active through both world wars and has had a long and eclectic career; he has composed music ranging from symphonies to music for cinema. He was also known to embrace many musical influences therefore his style was always changing and evolving.

Following Homage to Mozart is the pinnacle of the evening, Symphony N.41 K.551, also known as the Jupiter Symphony by Mozart. Written in 1788, it is one of his his longest compositions and showcased his artistic maturity. The last piece on the program is Schubert’s Symphony N.3 D.200 which was written in 1815 when he was just 18 years old. Like many of Schubert’s earlier works, he did not live to hear it performed since it wasn’t until after his death that it was released to the public.

Garry Walker won the the Leeds award in 1999 and was also a professor of conduction at the Royal Conservatory of Scotland. He was a guest conductor for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as and currently he is the principal conductor of the Rheinische Philharmonie Koblenz in Germany. He is returning after two years to conduct the Orchestra della Toscana.

Tickets range from €16 to €11 and are sold at Teatro Verdi, Box Office and www.teatroverdionline.it.  (Madeleine Greaves)