Salieri - Rival

Kate Molleson continues her survey of five figures that shaped Mozart’s life and work. Today - his supposed rival, Antonio Salieri. History has not been kind to Salieri. Myths have been spun around the record of his life – that he was mediocre, jealous, a murderer, even. But his position in Vienna during his lifetime was secure - he was one of the most powerful musicians of the late 18th century, the Emperor’s favourite, and hugely popular with audiences in his time. Salieri had no reason to see Mozart as a threat, and he spoke with great respect about the younger composer. Towards the end of Mozart’s life, it seems the two actually became friends. But there must have been some competitiveness between them - did this spur Mozart on to greater achievements?

Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail - Overture
Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor

Der Schauspieldirektor, K486: Da Schlägt die Abschiedsstunde
Regula Muhlemann, soprano
Kammerorchester Basel
Umberto Benedetti Michelangeli, conductor

Piano Concerto no. 24 in C minor, K491
I. Allegro
Lang Lang, piano
Wiener Philharmoniker
Nicolaus Harnoncourt, conductor

Così fan tutte
Act I (excerpt)
Miah Persson, soprano
Angela Brower, mezzo-soprano
Alessandro Corbelli, baritone
Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor

Clarinet concerto in A major, K622
II. Adagio
III. Rondo. Allegro
Martin Fröst, clarinet
The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen