It’s Saturday, Nov. 9, and Dallevin Lapaire, Jonathan Talbot and Grace Vandermolen are in the studio space, amongst Kawai pianos — small uprights, large uprights and a couple of baby grands. They are playing their way through Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 13 in C major, each taking one of the three movements, playing from memory. Their piano instructors — Cara Webb, Arne Sahlen and Tim Plait, respectively, accompany their student on another grand, playing the orchestral part as arranged for pianoforte.

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Lapaire, Talbot and Vandermolen will be taking the stage with the Symphony of the Kootenays, as part of the ”Midnight Clear” concert Nov. 30 at the Key City Theatre. To hear a Mozart concerto performed this way, parlour fashion, is an astonishing experience. The power of Mozart’s music — sophisticated, melodic, contrapuntal, and joyous — is enhanced by the small, intimate space. One can’t wait to hear the full effect with the Symphony.

Once a regular feature of the program, it has been nine years since the Symphony last held the student pianist concertos. It has been revived for 2024.

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Concerto No. 13 in C major is one of three concertos Mozart wrote in quick succession for his subscription series, in 1782-83. And, apparently, it was one of the composer’s favourites.“He only wrote cadenzas for the concertos he liked,” said Jonathan Talbot, playing the second movement (Andante, in F major). “This is one of those.”In music, a cadenza is an improvised or written-out ornamental passage played by soloists in a piece, usually in a "free" rhythmic style, and often allowing virtuosic display. During this time the accompaniment — the orchestra —will rest, or sustain a note or chord. While Mozart wrote original cadenzas for each movement of Concerto No. 13, the three performers have added their own flair, extending them and incorporating their own uniqueness.“The concerto is fast and I really enjoy fast pieces,” said Dallevin Lapaire, who is playing the first movement (Allegro in C Major). “The first movement is really lively, and some good contrast with some minor keys in the middle of the piece. One thing Mozart does is mix a minor and major key in the middle.“I took my favourite parts of the cadenza and embellished them.”  Barry Coulter - November 14, 2023 Cranbrook Townsmen