Mao Fujita plays Mozart Part 1

Sensational young pianist Mao Fujita gives the first of two performances of Mozart with the Philharmonia.

In his mid-twenties, Fujita already has a string of competition successes and a universally acclaimed recording of Mozart’s complete piano sonatas under his belt. His affinity with Mozart and deep affection for his music shines through in the ‘luminous clarity’ (International Piano) of his performances.

To pave the way for Mozart’s sparkling final piano concerto, conductor Giedrė Šlekytė has chosen Kodály’s reworking of Hungarian folk tunes, Dances of Galánta. The Philharmonia’s renowned woodwind section has the chance to shine as the soulful slow introduction gives way to helter-skelter exuberance.

Brahms’s First Symphony, many years in the making, is a magnificent tribute to Beethoven. The stirring horn theme and triumphant ending of the final movement are among the high points of 19^th-century orchestral music.

Mao Fujita plays Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 25, K. 503, on Thursday 20 March.