Committed Performance

Derby Choral Union's all-Mozart evening, featuring the ever-popular Requiem and Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, had a delightful curtain-raiser in the form of the Divertimento in F, K 138 (Derby Cathedral, Derby, UK, 12 November 2016). It's good when this and its two companions are taken seriously and not just dashed off as programme-fillers. The Heart of England Chamber Orchestra and conductor Richard Dacey's sprightly account brought home, in particular, the fact that even this early in his career Mozart was no slouch at creating interesting inner parts...