Sinfonia Viva will take the audience on an exploration of Mozart at a special concert at Derby’s Guildhall Theatre on Wednesday February 6.

‘Searching For Mozart’ is the first in a series of explorations into the world’s most famous composers.

The concert, which starts at 7.30pm, has been curated by Sinfonia Viva’s Principal Conductor Frank Zielhorst and will feature celebrated French Horn soloist Alec Frank-Gemmill.

His talents will take centre stage for a double bill of horn concertos, including the most recognisable ever created, Mozart’s unforgettable ‘Horn Concerto No.4.’

Ending on a euphoric high, the programme closes with one of Mozart's best known early symphonies – No.29 – which was an absolute landmark in his career and in music history.

Other highlights include Arnold’s ‘Sinfonietta No.1’ and Berkeley’s ‘Serenade for Strings’

Frank Zielhorst, who was appointed as Sinfonia Viva’s Principal Conductor last year, said: “We are thoroughly looking forward to showcasing some of the world’s most famous composers and new perspectives on their genres.

“The first concert in this new series promises to be a thoroughly enjoyable evening with a lovely variety of styles and emotions.

“The Guildhall Theatre is the perfect, intimate setting for such an immersive and powerful programme.”

The second in the series of composer will focus on Tchaikovsky at the Guildhall Theatre on April 17 2019.

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Media enquiries: Sarah Jenkin-Jones, JJPR< Tel: 01332 515102; 07951 945665; [email protected]

Note to Editors

Alec Frank-Gemmill divides his time between concertos, recitals, chamber music and orchestral playing. He was a member of the BBC New Generation Artists scheme 2014-16, appearing as soloist with the BBC orchestras on numerous occasions, including in performances of rarely-heard repertoire by Ethel Smyth, Malcolm Arnold and Charles Koechlin.

He is a regular soloist with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, performing concertos by Mozart (on the natural horn) with Richard Egarr, Ligeti and Strauss with Robin Ticciati, and Schumann with John Eliot Gardiner. In 2017 Alec gave the premiere of James Macmillan's Concertino for Horn, conducted by Andrew Manze.

Often invited as a guest principal horn, Alec has frequently appeared with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra of Europe. He also performs as part of period-instrument groups, most notably with Ensemble Marsyas.

Their latest album “Edinburgh 1742: Barsanti & Handel” was critically acclaimed and singled out for its solo horn playing. Alec is the recipient of a Borletti-Buitoni Fellowship, which enabled him to make two recordings for the BIS label: a disc of 19th Century works for horn and piano with Alasdair Beatson, and baroque concertos with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Nicholas McGegan. Both albums have been highly praised in the press.

Alec is Professor of Horn at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, his alma mater. He also studied in Cambridge, Zürich and Berlin with teachers including Hugh Seenan, Radovan Vlatković and Marie-Luise Neunecker.