Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert - The Genius of Mozart - BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Ronald van Spaendonck

Elin Manahan Thomas presents a live concert from BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff as part of Radio 3's celebration of The Genius of Mozart. Clarinettist Ronald van Spaendonck (a former New Generation Artist) joins the BBC National Orchestra of Wales for Mozart's last great instrumental composition. Written in 1791, it was created for Anton Stadler, a brilliant exponent of the clarinet - still a relatively new instrument at that time. It represents a culmination of all Mozart's great achievements in the concerto form, and has become one of the best-loved compositions in the entire classical repertoire. Richard Egarr is also Music Director of the Academy of Ancient Music, and today he conducts the BBC National Orchestra of Wales in Mozart's Symphony No. 38 - also known as the "Prague" symphony, where the first performance took place in January 1787. It's infused with shadowy overtones of Don Giovanni - the opera which Mozart wrote later that year. The symphony was an immediate success, and remained popular in the Bohemian capital for years to come. MOZART Clarinet Concerto K622 Symphony No. 38 - "Prague" K504 Ronald van Spaendonck clarinet Richard Egarr conductor.