Clarinetist David Nicholson will join the Pasadena Community Orchestra (PCO) at the First Church of the Nazarene on Friday, January 31, at 8 p.m., to perform the famous Mozart “Clarinet Concerto in A Major.”

Mozart composed the concerto (his last completed instrumental work) for Austrian clarinet and basset horn virtuoso Anton Stadler, who, along with Theodor Lotz, is credited with the invention of the basset clarinet. “Clarinet Concerto in A Major” is one of the finest in clarinet concerto repertoire, loved by audiences and performers alike. Nicholson, who is active as a chamber music performer in Southern California and traveled with the Los Angeles Philharmonic on its last two international tours, has previously performed this piece with the Santa Fe Pro Musica, a classical performance group in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The concert will also feature Robert Schumann’s “Symphony #2.” It took Schumann 10 months to complete this piece, due to the bouts of depression and the ringing in the ears that troubled him. The piece is admired because of the story it tells, starting with slow music representing the artist’s struggles after a nervous breakdown, but culminating with jubilant music signifying his restored confidence and hope.

Also part of the concert will be Mozart’s especially famous Overture to the “Marriage of Figaro.” It was written in 1786 as part of the larger comic opera, but the Overture is a favorite that is often played as a concert piece.

There will be no charge for the event (donations will be welcome at the door). The First Church of the Nazarene is located at 3700 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., one block west of Michillinda Ave. Parking will be free and wheelchair accessible. Immediately following the concert, audience members will have the opportunity to meet the soloist and the other musicians at a reception, for which refreshments will be provided.

For further information, you can contact PCO at (626) 445-6708 or see http://www.pcomusic.org .

David Nicholson photo – courtesy of PCO