Trout with Melbourne Chamber Orchestra - Mildura

Experience the beauty and majesty of Schubert’s epic Trout Quintet with world-class pianist Stefan Cassomenos and the core members of the MCO. Written during a summer in the Austrian countryside, the sunny and care-free buoyancy is heard throughout the work, with the centrepiece being the sublime theme and variations based on one of Schubert’s most popular songs that gave this Quintet its nickname. This is a virtuosic tour de force for all instrumentalists, one of those pieces that sweeps players and audiences away.

Music is a true inspirer, for audiences, players, and for the composers themselves. They celebrate that inspiration in a very exciting way by presenting the world premiere performances of Stefan’s reflection on the Trout Quintet. This is a rare opportunity to delve inside the world of the composer as a performer and the inspiration behind their work.

The first movement of Hummel’s fiery First Piano Quintet opens the concert, itself the inspiration for Schubert’s Quintet with this unusual combination of violin, viola, cello, double bass and piano. A student of Mozart and much loved by Beethoven, Hummel was one of the most dazzling pianists of his time. It is this energy that dances off the page, leading one to well understand how it inspired Schubert to write The Trout.