The Scottish Chamber Orchestra organised a one-off chamber concert at the Queens Hall on Sunday which comprised three Mozart compositions and a Serenade by Max Reger.
Christian Zacharias, the renowned German pianist, started the concert with Mozart's Variations on a Minuet by Duport (K573). Zacharias is an accomplished Mozart player, having recorded many of the composer's works including piano concertos, quartets, quintets and his complete piano sonatas. With his lightness of touch he elicits the essence of Mozart's distinctiveness.
Next on the programme was Max Reger's trio for flute, violin and viola - Serenade in G (Op 141a). Alison Mitchell, Principal flautist with the SCO, Christopher George, Leader of the SCO and Jane Atkins on viola, blended well together to bring out the airy, almost frivolous feel to this piece.
In Mozart's Oboe Quartet in F Major, Robin Williams, Principal Oboe with the SCO, gave a flawless performance, hitting the top notes with great clarity. He was joined by Christopher George, Jane Atkins and David Watkin, Principal cellist with the SCO. What was impressive about the playing in both this quartet and the last piece - Mozart's Piano Quartet in G Minor (K478) - was that the musicians have not formed a regular chamber ensemble and have therefore not developed a familiar repertoire but they nonetheless play as a very effective, co-ordinated group.
Time: 6 April, 2.30pm