The London Piano Festival opening night at Kings Place brings a special celebration of Mozart’s finest early piano concerti, performed by artistic directors Katya Apekisheva and Charles Owen, 2010 BBC Young Musician of the Year Lara Melda, along with the award-winning and ever-creative Carducci String Quartet.

In March 1781 Mozart arrived in Vienna to begin his journey as a newly independent, freelance musician. By a happy coincidence, the fledgling fortepiano was beginning to make a serious foray into the developing musical world of the city. As one of the leading performers on these expressive new instruments, Mozart decided to create a series of imaginative piano concerti designed to display his unique talents. To ensure the widest possible exposure these works were designated for performance with both chamber orchestra and string ensemble.

This Gala presents three of Mozart’s finest early piano concerti, each filled with youthful exuberance, grace, wit and melodic inventiveness. London Piano Festival artistic directors Katya Apekisheva and Charles Owen will be joined by Lara Melda, the outstanding winner of the 2010 BBC Young Musician of the Year competition. All three of tonight’s pianists enjoy regular collaborations with the Carducci String Quartet, making them the ideal partners for this Mozart celebration.

The performance will last approximately 70 mins, without an interval.