Bear Valley Music Festival

Join us for a captivating afternoon at the "Mozart’s Rivals Bear Valley Music Festival" on Sunday, July 28, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This unique matinee concert, featuring the talented Chase Spruill on violin, explores the intriguing notion of rivalry in the world of classical music, inspired by the legendary tale of Mozart and Salieri. While history tells us the rivalry was more fiction than fact, this event brings to life the competitive spirit through the works of composers who could have been considered Mozart's contemporaries and, perhaps, his rivals.

The program includes an exceptional lineup, starting with the Symphony in D by Frederick the Great, a monarch known not only for his leadership but also for his musical compositions. The concert will also highlight the remarkable Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, an accomplished swordsman, freedom fighter, violinist, and conductor, and one of the early classical composers of color who inspired and challenged Mozart. His first violin concerto will be one of the afternoon's highlights.

Further enriching the program, attendees will experience the last piece composed by Clara Schumann, the March in E-flat Major, alongside Fanny Mendelssohn’s Overture in C, showcasing the profound impact of female composers in a male-dominated era. The concert will conclude with a piece by Antonio Salieri, celebrating the friendship and mutual respect between him and Mozart, contrary to the popular myth of bitter rivalry.

This event promises to be a memorable journey through the works of composers who, in their time, were seen as potential rivals to Mozart, offering a fresh perspective on the relationships and influences that shaped classical music. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the rich tapestry of stories and sounds from Mozart's era and beyond.