Simon Zhu – London

The mutual admiration and friendship between Haydn and Mozart is well documented. Haydn called Mozart ‘the greatest composer known to me by person and repute’, while Mozart dedicated six string quartets to his mentor Haydn with the words: ‘Your approval encourages me more than anything else’. Haydn’s style of composition had a huge influence on Mozart, but the younger composer took his own works to even greater heights, adding layers of complexity. Enjoy music by both composers when the Academy of St Martin in the Fields performs Haydn’s intense Symphony No.44 and Mozart’s exciting and imaginative Violin Concerto No.5. Mozart was also inspired by one of the now-forgotten greats of the Classical period, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the son of a French planter and an African slave on the island of Guadeloupe; the lively writing of his first symphony evokes the mastery of both Mozart and Haydn. In addition to these ravishing Classical works, we add in a standout from the Baroque era – Corelli’s trailblazing Concerto Grosso Op.6 No.7.

Mozart’s beloved concerto is the centrepiece of this concert, presenting an opportunity to introduce an accomplished young violinist to a London audience, 22-year-old Simon Zhu. Simon has been impressing audiences across Europe, South Korea and China with his virtuoso performances, and was the winner of the Mozart Special Award  at the 2021 Menuhin Competition among numerous international competition wins.