Mostly Mozart concerts have been a summer staple in participating cities since 1966. Indeed, an historically informed opportunity for the world's foremost interpreters of the pure classical canon, alongside top-flight works by today's contemporary voices.
For the 2015 season there at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center has produced an Emmy-winning series of YouTube videos that looks at the musical lives of the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra members, themselves. Aptly dubbed "Mozart Minutes," these 25 vids might be short on time, but they're positively bursting with insight and candor.
Having plucked out our favorite string players earlier, here, then, are Classicalite's five favorite wind ones: flutist Tanya Dusevic Witek, principal clarinet Jon Manasse, bassoonist Tom Sefčovič and principal horn player Lawrence DiBello...
MMFO flutist Tanya Dusevic Witek reveals her pre-concert ritual: Warming up in her car.
Member Since: 2011
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Pre-Concert Ritual: I like to arrive early and warm up in my car after I have found a parking spot. I also like to eat a banana before a concert.
MMFO principal clarinetist Jon Manasse reveals the benefits (and perils) of rehearsing music mentally.
Member Since: 2004
Hometown: New York, New York
Favorite NYC Place: My home filled with family members.
OK, so just how long does it take to get a bassoon reed ready for Moart? The answer, revealed here by MMFO's Tom Sefčovič, might surprise you.
Member Since: 2011
Hometown: Rochester, Michigan
First Memorable Musical Experience: Hearing Ravel’s Alborada del gracioso performed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra at Meadow Brook Music Festival with my parents (listening to Charles Sirard, DSO’s principal bassoon, play the solo in that piece inspired me to play the bassoon).
MMFO principal horn Lawrence DiBello speaks about the unique power of music.
Member Since: 2006
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Favorite Mozart Piece to Perform: Symphony No. 40 in G minor
On Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22, Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart 2015 will go out with a bang, care of that grand Germanic oratorio, Die Schöpfung. That is, of course, F.J. Haydn's The Creation. Maestro Louis Langrée returns to the podium. Soprano Sarah Tynan, tenor Andrew Staples and bassist Brindley Sherratt will all be making their Mostly Mozart debuts. The Concert Chorale of New York, prepared by James Bagwell, will fill out the SATB harmonies.
Click here to buy tickets for Friday's 7:30 performance; move your mouse here to purchase seats for the reprise on Saturday night.
Until then, vote for your favorite MMFO wind player--Tanya, Jon, Tom, Lawrence--below.
