Royal Academy of Music, Piano Gallery

Daniel-Ben Pienaar, Curzon Lecturer in Performance Studies
Janet Snowman, Bicentenary Research Fellow
Nathaniel Mander, harpsichord

The first in a new termly event series on the relationship between music and visual art, featuring pieces from the Academy Museum’s collections. When the Mozart family visited London in 1765, adverts described Wolfgang and his sister Nannerl as ‘prodigies of Nature’. This event will consider artistic responses to the idea of musical genius by exploring images of British infant pianists, including portraits hanging in the Duke’s Hall. Covering a span from 1770 to 1840, themes will include the relationship between the family and the artist, the use of imagery in concert promotion and the quest for royal patronage. The event will also provide a rare opportunity to hear works composed by or associated with these young children.