Musical Offerings - 7. Mozart² (Auckland Camerata, Flavio Villani & Michael Song)

Mozart²

Two pianists. Two Mozart concertos. One string ensemble. One evening of music-making in St Heliers.

Musical Offerings closes its 2026 season with Mozart², bringing together pianists Flavio Villani and Michael Song with the newly formed Auckland Camerata for an evening that places Mozart in conversation with the vivid musical world of Erwin Schulhoff.

At the heart of the programme are two of Mozart’s piano concertos. Michael Song performs the elegant and intimate Piano Concerto No. 14 in E-flat major, K. 449, while Flavio Villani performs the luminous Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488, a work whose lyricism, wit and profound central Adagio make it one of Mozart’s most beloved concertos.

There is also a personal connection between the two soloists. Michael began his musical development under Flavio’s mentorship before continuing his studies with Rae de Lisle at the University of Auckland and Paul Rickard-Ford at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Now established as a pianist in his own right, he shares the stage with his former teacher, each approaching Mozart from their own musical perspective.

Between these two Classical works, Auckland Camerata steps into the spotlight with Erwin Schulhoff’s 5 Stücke für Streichquartett, heard here in string ensemble. Written as five sharply characterised dances, the work moves through waltz, serenade, Czech folk influences, tango and tarantella with rhythmic energy, humour and an unmistakably twentieth-century edge.

This concert is presented with the generous support of the Ōrākei Local Board.

Special thanks to Steve Williams of Ray White for his generous sponsorship, making it possible to bring Auckland Camerata together for this performance in our series.

Join us for the final Musical Offerings concert of 2026: an evening of elegance, intimacy, exuberance and dance - and a celebration of musical connections across generations.

Programme

W. A. Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 14 in E-flat major, K. 449
Michael Song, piano

Erwin Schulhoff - 5 Stücke für Streichquartett
Auckland Camerata

W. A. Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488
Flavio Villani, piano

Bios

Auckland Camerata is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s newest string chamber orchestras. Founded in 2026 and led by violinist Monique Lapins, Assistant Concertmaster of the Auckland Philharmonia, and Auckland-based cellist Diana Sanz Pascual, the ensemble brings together professional musicians for vibrant performances of string repertoire.

Italian-New Zealand pianist, composer and educator Flavio Villani has performed as soloist and chamber musician internationally. His debut solo album, In Memoriam, was released by Rattle Records in 2026, and his preparation for his first orchestral performance of Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto was documented in the feature film Crossing Rachmaninoff. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Waikato and is the founder and Director of L’Accademia Music School.

Michael Song is a New Zealand pianist and graduate of the University of Auckland and Sydney Conservatorium of Music. A recipient of the George and Margaret Henderson Scholarship, he has performed in New Zealand, Australia and Europe, with musical interests spanning classical performance and improvisation.