Enjoyable sounds: Mozartfest delights with star pianist Dovgan!

Enjoyable sounds: Mozartfest delights with star pianist Dovgan!

On Saturday, a very special state reception took place in the magnificent Würzburg Residence as part of this year's Mozart Festival. The Bavarian State Secretary for Finance and Homeland Affairs, Martin Schöffel, received numerous guests from politics, business and society and celebrated the musical highlights of the festival with them. Every year, the Mozart Festival attracts around 30,000 visitors, which underlines its important role in the Bavarian concert landscape. Würzburg reports that Schöffel particularly emphasized the importance of the festival for the exchange between past and present.

A highlight of the evening was without a doubt the concert by the talented star pianist Alexandra Dovgan, who celebrated her stage debut at the Mozart Festival. At just 17 years old, Dovgan already has an impressive career behind him and is praised as a promising talent by well-known personalities such as Grigory Sokolov. Her playing demonstrates a deep connection to Mozart's work and noticeably impressed the audience. Dovgan opened the concert with four interlude pieces of music from Mozart's “Thamos, King in Egypt” (KV 345) and then shone with the Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor (KV 466).

A musical enjoyment with tradition

After a short break, the Basel Chamber Orchestra performed under the direction of Gabriel Pernet. Pernet took over the musical direction at short notice as the originally invited conductor Bar Avni was unable to travel due to the current situation in the Middle East. The orchestra delighted the audience with the Oxford Symphony No. 92 in G major (Hob. I:92) by Joseph Haydn, which was also part of the program. Both performances were rewarded with long, warm applause – a sign of the high quality of the performances and the enthusiasm of those present.

The increasing interest in classical music also becomes clear when you look at the developments in the festival concept of the Mozart Festival. While the term “classical music” covers over 1,000 years of music history, the festival continues to explore new ways to combine different styles, eras and genres. This year, for example, the Mozart Festival Augsburg 2025 will be pursuing the motto “Out of the Box”, which focuses on taking music out of drawers and opening up fresh musical horizons. Mozartstadt shows that contemporary artists who do not fit into common categories will take part in the festival.

For lovers of classical music who want to immerse themselves in the world of the festival, the Mozart Festival is a true feast for the senses. In addition to the musical experience, there are also practical tips: Larger bags and backpacks are not allowed in the concert hall, and the concert lasts around 130 minutes, including intermission. The wide range of offerings and diverse performances promise an unforgettable time for all music enthusiasts.

This year's motto "But through sounds - friend Mozart" reflects this vibrant combination of tradition and innovation and makes it clear that the Mozart Festival represents a stage for the exchange between the classical music of bygone eras and modern interpretations. A visit to the Mozart Festival in the picturesque setting of the Würzburg Residence is an absolute must for every music lover.