‘Alexander Melnikov’

When the Russian pianist Alexander Melnikov visited W.A. Mozart's house in Vienna a few years back, he had the opportunity to play on one of Mozart's favourite pianos, which was especially transferred to Salzburg for Melnikov. It was a moving experience that brought the pianist even closer to the composer. During the concert Melnikov will be performing the confidently gracious Quintett für Klavier und Bläser (Quintet for Piano and Wind Instruments), the very first quintet the composer scored between the piano concertos. “I myself consider it to be the best thing I have written in my life,” he wrote to his father. This sentiment was echoed by Beethoven, who drew inspiration from the work for his own quintet. Whereas Mozart gives equal importance to each of the instruments, Beethoven composed a kind of mini piano concerto. Sparkling and energetic.