The Australian Haydn Ensemble - Beethoven's Pastoral

AHE continues its exploration of large-scale works in 18th-century chamber versions with a premiere of Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony by Watts along with Masi’s chamber version of Mozart’s Haffner Serenade, arranged for a septet with flute, string quintet and double bass.

The Australian Haydn Ensemble is well known for unearthing forgotten composers and historical chamber versions of the classics. This program brings to light two of the greats: Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony and Mozart’s Haffner Serenade.

Beethoven often criticised chamber versions of his own works by other composers. Watt’s c.1810 arrangement of Beethoven’s masterwork, The Pastoral however, is a vibrant and passionate reinterpretation of this dramatic work that will capture your imagination and reinvent it for you as a septet.

Mozart’s Serenade No. 7 or the Haffner Serenade as it is often called, is one of his most well-known and frequently performed works. The original orchestral work was commissioned by Mozart’s contemporary and friend, Sigmund Haffner, for the wedding of his sister Marie Elisabeth Haffner in 1776. Masi’s chamber arrangement was published in the early 19th century as part of a set of popular Mozart symphonies for the same instrumentation as Watt’s arrangement of the Beethoven. Masi’s arrangement reflects Mozart’s own shortened version of the Haffner Serenade that omits three of the original movements. Even in this reduced version, he captures the bright energy that one imagines Mozart hoped to convey at the premiere performance on the eve of the Haffner wedding. 

AHE also performs a beautiful, dark and moving string sextet in F minor by Luigi Boccherini. Boccherini takes the listener on a journey full of drama, melancholy and dance - a characteristic of his music that makes it a listening pleasure.