Mozart, March in D, K.249 / 'Haffner' Serenade, K.250

It is a shame that the tradition of the open-air performances no longer plays a distinctive role in modern concert life. At least, not in classical music. Whereas pop and rock superstars world-wide fill gigantic sport arenas without any problem, classical open-air events remain the exception. Admittedly, megastars such as Pavarotti, Domingo and Carreras also achieved this almost without effort. Although it is true that the "learned" concert audience rather turned up its nose at the programme they presented; to say nothing of the price it demanded, as all sense of intimacy was somewhat lost, considering the 10,000 spectators and enormous amplifiers.