Classical music aficionados get to be up close and personal with an impressive gathering of internationally renowned musicians Saturday (Sept. 25) as the Brackendale Art Gallery (BAG) presents Mozart for Five at 8 p.m.
"It's going to be a great night of music," said BAG owner Thor Froslev.
"These are musicians who have flown in from all over the world to do a concert in Vancouver, and I was lucky enough to get them into a nice little venue like mine."
Mozart for Five features Canadian violinist Marc Destrub茅 along with a cast of talented musicians from Canada, the U.S., England, Italy and Spain playing three rarely-performed masterworks by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on period instruments.
Destrub茅 is from West Vancouver and performs internationally as a chamber musician, soloist and leader of orchestras. He is co-concertmaster of the Orchestra of the 18th Century in Amsterdam, first violinist of the Axelrod String Quartet and a member of the Turning Point Ensemble in Vancouver.
He's also played at BAG in past years, thanks to Froslev's desire to bring more classical to the community.
"I've had classical musicians coming here for the past 19 years," he said. "That's how I got to know Destrub茅."
That relationship led to the upcoming performance on Saturday night.
"They called me and I was delighted to have them come up and play in my venue," said Froslev.
The ensemble is joined by British natural (valveless) horn master Andrew Clark for a performance of the Horn Quintet, essentially a virtuoso concerto for horn and strings.
Froslev said the night offers a chance to hear rare Mozart pieces, as well as the rare chance to spend some time getting to know world-renowned musicians on a personal level.
"There will be a Q & A after the concert," he said. "And it is such a small venue that you'll be up close while they talk about their instruments and the music."
But such a unique night of classical music is bound to sell out fast.
"We don't have enough of this type of thing here," he said.
"I already had people coming in saying they were so glad to see classical music concerts of this calibre being offered here. I think it is really important, especially for children to be exposed to this type of music early."
The event is being presented in co-operation with Early Music Vancouver.
Mozart for Five plays the BAG at 41950 Government Road in Brackendale on Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and you can reserve using a credit card by phoning 604-898-3333 or tickets can be purchased during business hours in person.
