Question about Mozart Flute Concerto in D?

[AurokeFlute]

I'm working on the first movement for a competition in December-ish, they haven't released the dates yet, And me and my flute teacher cant tell what Allegro Aperto is supposed to mean. We know the translation, but that's about it. I am in love with this piece, and am very comfortable with it right now. I know it has to be like an opera singer and i am starting to achieve that, as well as proper articulation. any other suggestions?

[concertmaster3]

I can't remember which one of these gave a good character to it, but listen to these two.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhalrPzAfO8 (oboist from Sydney Symphony) It's in C but an oboist is always a good source to go to for this concerto!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1U5EPdJ1u8 (Nina Perlove)

I just had a lesson on the oboe concerto and was told to sparkle more. I think that's a good way to think about it. It's bright and shiny and fun music, play it as such and your personal character will come across in it too. Good luck and I hope this helps!

[lianeandflute]

It just needs to be alive. I read somewhere that Mozart's concertos should be like champagne… so bubbly and fun and light. We also need to bear in mind the dance like feel… so a strong sense of pulse is important I think, but still with a smoothness of phrasing.

Listen to recordings by people like Sharon Bezaly, Emmanuel Pahud and other great flute players (and oboists) and see how they interpret this movement. Gather your own interpretation from playing it yourself. The music speaks for itself, really.
It's also worth listening to other Mozart concertos…

I'd like to add that I don't think we should over interpret this movement… don't over complicate it. It is what it is, you know? There needs to be an element of yourself in there, but I don't think we should put so much of ourselves in that we squash the music. The music needs to just come through us… like light coming through a window, like a stained glass window or something...

[lianeandflute]

p.s.
Aperto means to play it broadly and majestically, and since this marking was rarely used outside of Mozart's operatic works… perhaps there's a hint that it needs to be lyrical?

Mozart's encouraging us to go for it, don't hold back. Sing this movement proudly and let the music shine through you

[StephenC]

I'm working on the first movement for a competition in December-ish, they haven't released the dates, And me and flute lessons teacher cant tell what Allegro Aperto is supposed to mean. We know the translation, but that's about it. I am in love with this piece, and am very comfortable with it right now. I know it has to be like an opera singer and i am starting to achieve that, as well as proper articulation. any other suggestions?

I agree with what lianeandflute said. The clue that Mozart left for such concerts is the Aperto. The Aperto marking on the first movement is a rare marking in Mozart's instrumental music, but appears much more frequently in his operatic music. It implies that the piece should be played in a broader, more majestic way than might be indicated simply by allegro. The first movement opens with the orchestra playing the main theme, a typical Mozartian tune. Best of luck.

[Zevang]

Take also a look at the great argentinian flutist Claudio Barile. He has fine recordings of mozart concertos in youtube as well.

Zevang