The Glasshouse

Renowned for her interpretations of Mozart, pianist Angela Hewitt will bring these timeless melodies to the region from 26 – 28 April, stopping off in Middlesbrough, Carlisle and Gateshead. Here, Angela reminisces about her cherished moments with Royal Northern Sinfonia and her connection with the man himself, Wolfgang Amadeus.

Could you share a standout moment from your performances at The Glasshouse? What made that experience memorable?

I think The Glasshouse is one of the best halls in the UK. I always enjoy performing there. When you’re playing, the sound on stage is excellent; you feel inspired. I also remember playing recitals in Sage Two, which people always enjoy because it’s very intimate. For my first time in The Glasshouse in 2006, I was on the jury for the BBC Young Musician of the Year. I remember being very impressed with it then. Perhaps a profound memory was when I performed the complete Well-Tempered Clavier of Bach in two marathon recitals during my Bach World Tour in 2007-2008.

What are you looking forward to with the upcoming collaboration with Royal Northern Sinfonia and Maria Włoszczowska?

It will be great to meet and work with Maria. I’ve heard so many positive things about her and have enjoyed clips on social media. I remember the collaboration last time I worked with Royal Northern Sinfonia – it had great energy and spirit. They play with an excellent knowledge of classical style. That’s always important to me. Mozart must sound like Mozart.

What surprises can the audience expect from the upcoming concert?

The C minor Concerto K491 is one of Mozart’s greatest compositions, and it’s always a thrill to perform. But perhaps the much earlier piece, the Concerto K238 in B-flat major, will surprise the audience. It’s not as well known, but it’s full of charm and inventiveness. It shows Mozart trying things he would develop later on. The triplets in the slow movement foreshadow the same in his famous Concerto No. 21 in C major, K467. This concert is part of my project called the Mozart Odyssey, during which I will perform all of Mozart’s piano concertos across the globe over the next couple of years. So I’m happy to share some of that journey with you in Gateshead.

How do you personally connect with and interpret Mozart’s timeless compositions?

To perform Mozart, you must be a great singer, even if you’re playing the piano and especially if you’re playing the piano. All of his music is vocal and theatrical, so you must also be a good actor. Otherwise, the music doesn’t come alive as it should. I don’t find that hard as I was brought up by my parents, both musicians and choir directors, to sing. I also seriously studied classical ballet for 20 years. That helps because so much of it is based on dance rhythms.

Which composers, besides Mozart, captivate you as a performer, and how does their work inspire you?

I’ve done the complete keyboard works of Bach, the 32 Sonatas of Beethoven and the 18 Sonatas of Mozart, plus tons of French and romantic music. I have a huge repertoire. It’s good because variety keeps you alert and learning and makes you a good musician. Who would want to live without any of the great composers? They constantly reward us in so many ways.

Book tickets for Middlesbrough, Carlisle and Gateshead here to see Angela for yourself.