posted by Susan Sueiro
My husband loves the symphony, and while I enjoy going with him, I know absolutely nothing about classical music and often find myself suffering or sleeping through long stretches of the evening. But even I know to never miss the performance of the Midsummer Mozart Festival at the winery.
Each summer, George Cleve puts together two programs to be performed with world-renowned soloists at only four venues around the Bay Area. Performances in Berkeley, San Francisco and San Jose are in concert halls and theaters, with ushers, expensive acoustics and musicians in tuxes. For many years, the north bay performances have been held in the outdoor amphitheater at Gundlach Bundschu Winery, with violinists in hawaiian shirts and guests enjoying picnics and wine on the lawn.
During program one this past Saturday, a flock of Canadian geese added their own horn section to the flute concerto, and the billowy clouds overhead erupted in pink and orange to announce the sunset, and the opening measures of the Haffner symphony.
Even if you don't consider yourself a fan of Mozart, the majesty of the music mirrored in the surrounded beauty cannot fail to move you. And if you love the music, well, I imagine its a pretty extraordinary night out. Program two will be performed this Saturday July 25th at the winery, featuring the amazing pianist Seymour Lipkin. The sunset should accompany the closing piece, this symphony, #41.
