Meet the Mozart family on Thursday 17 May at 8pm at the Auberge d’Aragon, Valletta. The surname Mozart brings immediately to mind two men, father and son. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s music needs no introduction. Volumes and volumes have been written about him and his compositions. Leopold Mozart, himself an accomplished violinist, is probably remembered more for his autocratic relationship with his son and less for his music. But living totally in the darkness of the fame of these two great men is Franz Xavier, Wolfgang’s second son. His music is perhaps not especially important in musical history and was strongly influenced by his teacher, Hummel, with brilliant figurations in the piano music. However, it is charming and well-made music and deserves to be revived along with that of his father and grandfather.

For this month’s Meet the Composer, the Austrian Duo nota bene made up of Eva Steinschaden (violin) and Alexander Vavtar (piano) lead us through the different styles of these three composers with works for violin and piano by Wolfgang and his son, and two of Leopold’s sonatas for two violins and piano. For this work they will be joined by Maltese violinist Sarah Spiteri.

The programme will be as follows: Leopold Mozart: Sonata a tre per due Violini e Basso continuo, op 1/6, D major; Franz Xavier Mozart: Sonata for violin and piano, op 15, F major; W A Mozart: Sonata for piano and violin, K 454, B flat major; Leopold Mozart: Sonata a tre per due Violini e Basso continuo, op 1/4.

Entrance is free but a donation towards the restoration of the St Catherine of Italy chapel will be appreciated.