East Meets West: An Extravaganza

Bach’s Die Kunst der Fuge consists of 15 fugues (the last unfinished) and 4 canons, with no instrumentation specified - hence the subject of much discussion and controversy. The Fitzwilliam Quartet chose to play three of the fugues, beginning with the ‘simplest’, where the theme of the 14 completed fugues is presented.

Sir Roger Norrington's all-Mozart feast was a joyous evening dedicated solely to playing as the composer and his audience would have recognised it. His affable introduction and the OAE's superb playing made a splendid evening.

A rare opportunity to hear the complete Brandenburgs was awarded by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in a distinguished performance, with Huw Daniel its leading light.

If Mozart were to apply for a job in this day and age, at the very top of his CV would read “Adaptable and able to turn my hand to any task”.

Pari réussi partiellement pour la cheffe : malgré le haut niveau des protagonistes, cette Messe en si a commencé sur la retenue et n’a pas tenu toutes ses promesses, malgré une conclusion de toute beauté.