The two instruments Mozart hated most were the flute and the harp. That didn't stop him ... more
from writing perfectly fine music when offered the chance to make a buck, and although musical scholars have long lambasted his Concerto for Flute and Harp as musical wallpaper, it's so sensuously pretty that no one else seems to care very much. In any case, Mozart's three concertos calling for solo flute remain the touchstones of repertoire, and no one interested in the artistry of James Galway can afford to be without his lively and sympathetic interpretations of them.--David Hurwitz
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Advantages: Excellent performances in a perfect setting Disadvantages: Very minor quibbles
Background:
When it comes to prodigious over-achievers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has to be placed somewhere at the top of the list. Despite his tragically short life from 1756-1791, his musical creativity has assured him of eternal fame as long as human civilisation performs Western classical music.
But when one considers Mozart's background, one can understand where his genius came from. His father Leopold Mozart was a virtuoso violinist whose treatise on violin playing is still a standard read for any aspiring violin student today. It is also worth considering how things might have been different had female instrumentalists been able to pursue a professional career as adults - as his beloved sister Nannerl was no mean keyboard player, but obviously once she became an adult it was not really considered the done thing for her ...
Advantages: Great atmostphere in bars & on the street, relaxed place, loads of pubs, Disadvantages: Not a great deal to do
Unfortunately, we only spent 1 night in Galway but what a contrast to Dublin. Having been to Ireland over 10 times and spent most of it in Navan & Dublin, it was nice to go somewhere different.
Getting There>>>>>>>
Situated on the West Coast, Galway is about 3 hours drive from Dublin. It's meant to be 2.5 hours by train, but ours took 5 hours (not nice). If drivings not for you, then a coach goes from O'Connell Street every hour, costs 9 punts one way or 12 return and isn't too bad.
This bus drops you in the heart of Galway, a short walk from the main square and near the train station. However, to get there, I'd recommend hiring a car for a few reasons.
Firstly , the trains only run 6 times a day, aren't the best but quite cheap. Secondly, Galway isn't massive, so you'll run out of things to do, unless all you want to ...
Advantages: Origami-like sets, costumes, bold basic colors; Mozart's music, all sung beautifully. Disadvantages: Un-PC elements may cause unease in modern audiences.
Opera-haters may just succumb to the charms of this delightful stage version of 'The Magic Flute', Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's popular opera. Created in that highly disciplined world of specialized vocal and instrumental music and theatre, it remains among the lightest in the genre. The story amounts to little more than a children's tale with the usual elements of heroism, love, revenge, forgiveness, etc. Ah, but the most aurally pleasing music of Mozart elevates it to a higher plane.
From Arthaus Musik DVD comes this modern, minimalist and playful production of Mozart's final operatic work, 'The Magic Flute / Die Zauberflöte', perfomed live on 26 August 1992 at the Ludwigsburger Schloßfestspiele.
Basic Plot Premise.
Our hero, Prince Tamino, is rescued from a giant serpent by the Three Ladies of the Queen of the Night. The Queen ...
