Mozart’s wonderful ‘Gran Partita’ (Serenade for 13 Wind Instruments) was performed in the unique setting of the Arts Barge, Foss Basin, York YO10 4AB, at 7pm on Sunday 4 September.

Mozart’s Serenade K.361, commonly known as the Serenade for 13 Wind, was actually written for 12 wind instruments and a double bass, creating a fantastic sound world befitting the amazing location of this concert. A late summer evening of enchanting music, played by some of the region’s premier musicians, was directed by Alan George (Director, Academy of St Olave’s).

The third movement of this Serenade was introduced to millions in the film Amadeus. In Peter Schaffer’s screenplay the older composer Salieri says “On the page it looked nothing. The beginning simple, almost comic. Just a pulse…. Like a rusty squeeze box. And then suddenly, high above it, an oboe. A single note, hanging there, unwavering, until a clarinet took it over, sweetened it to a phrase of such delight…. This was a music I had never heard. Filled with such longing, such unfulfillable longing.”

Ticket holders were invited to ‘pay what you feel’ on the night to support the work of Jessie’s Fund: their generosity resulted in donations totalling over £1000.