The debut concert of Oxford’s new ensemble Vocatio:Responsio, will demystify the concept of the ‘wunderkind’ in Mozart and Mendelssohn’s early work.

The “child prodigy”, one who produces such meaningful work that it reaches the level of the established adult expert, has never been uncommon at any point throughout music history, particularly in composition. Yet, it remains a most misunderstood, and deeply romanticised, concept in musicology today, with critics favouring a supernatural narrative in desperate attempts to come to terms with their ability (hence, labels such as ‘wunderkind’ in German that literally translate to ‘wonder kid’) . This approach has perhaps most plagued our understandings of two composers in particular: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Felix Mendelssohn both enjoyed exceptional facilities to nurture musical growth, and although their pedagogical pathways were deeply contrasting, they reached a common destination of being eager to develop as emerging talents, something that the ‘wunderkind’ label has the potential to neglect.

Whether through Mozart’s cultural exposure through European tours, or Mendelssohn’s excellent educational provision at home, this programme musically represents their differing pedagogical journeys as emerging composers that develop through experience, albeit from a lofty starting point.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
– Symphony in E♭ Major, K.16
– Symphony in F Major, K.112
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
– Symphony in E Minor, MWV N3
– Symphony in D Minor, MWV N7

£3