Richard Tognetti and Dejan Lazic Reunite For a Mozart Celebration

Croatian pianist Dejan Lazić will reunite with his 'musical soulmates' in the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) this September in a celebration of Mozart's concertos and symphonies, directed by ACO Artistic Director Richard Tognetti.

The acclaimed musician, who is also an accomplished composer and prizewinning clarinettist, will join the ACO for a national tour featuring music by Mozart and Haydn. The concerts will also feature two of Lazić's own works: his arrangement of the Allegretto grazioso from Mozart's Piano Sonata K.333 and his original cadenza in Mozart's Piano Concerto No.14. Tognetti will feature as soloist in Mozart's sparkling Violin Concerto No.3.

Lazić has developed an exceptionally strong bond with the ACO, having performed with the Orchestra on multiple national and international tours since his first appearance with the ensemble in 2000.

"I first saw the ACO in Zagreb, Croatia in 1990 when I was only 13 years old and it was love at first sight," said Lazić. "After multiple tours and recordings with my musical brother Richard Tognetti and my ACO soulmates, it's an extraordinary pleasure and delight to be back for this reunion, especially with such a unique and truly special program - definitely my personal season highlight!"

Lazić enjoys a reputation as one of the most unique soloists of his generation. Born into a family of musicians in Zagreb, Croatia, he grew up in Salzburg where he studied clarinet, piano and composition at the University Mozarteum. He is in-demand around the world as a soloist and chamber musician, and has worked with such conductors as Iván Fischer, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Giovanni Antonini, Kirill Petrenko, Robert Spano and John Storgårds. In addition he is an accomplished composer, whose output includes piano compositions, chamber music and orchestral works, as well as cadenzas for Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven piano concertos.

'Celebrating Mozart' is bookended by two great symphonies: Mozart's Symphony No.25 and the work that directly influenced it, Haydn's Symphony No.39 'Tempesta di mare'. Mozart is known for his rigorous Classicism, but this symphony, instantly recognisable as the dramatic opening of Miloš Forman's popular 1984 film Amadeus, is almost "romantic" in its power. Like Mozart's symphony, Haydn's was written when the "Sturm und Drang" movement was strong, and its passion and drama still captivates audiences today.

5 - 17 September

HAYDN Symphony No.39 in G minor 'Tempesta di mare'
MOZART Rondo Concertante (arr. Dejan Lazić) Australian Premiere
MOZART Piano Concerto No.14 in E-flat major
MOZART Violin Concerto No.3 in G major
MOZART Symphony No.25 in G minor

Richard Tognetti Director & Violin
Dejan Lazić Piano
Australian Chamber Orchestra

WOLLONGONG
Wollongong Town Hall
Thu 5 Sep, 7:30pm

CANBERRA
Llewellyn Hall
Sat 7 Sep, 8:00pm

MELBOURNE
Arts Centre - Hamer Hall
Sun 8 Sep, 2:30pm
Mon 9 Sep, 7:30pm

ADELAIDE
Adelaide Town Hall
Tue 10 Sep, 7:30pm

SYDNEY
City Recital Hall
Thu 12 Sep, 7:00pm
Tue 17 Sep, 8:00pm

Sydney Opera House
Sun 15 Sep, 3:00pm