The wrought iron of the fortress window made a perfect frame!
These characters looked like Marionettes ready to come to life. Naturally we also had to see the dungeons and display of torture devices.
We went to the open air market in the town square for lunch and I taught the kids how to order in German. They absolutely loved the “Pizza Brezeln” which were the size of dinner plates. The raspberries and strawberries were great, too. Of course we had to have ice cream for dessert. (where else can you get hazelnut ice cream?)
We joined a tour of the Mozart Museum housed in the home where Mozart was born.
Mozart and his parents actually lived on the 3rd floor of this building. (where you see 3 open windows) We were not allowed to take photos inside, but the highlight of the tour were the displays of Mozart’s first violin and the family keyboard.
After our busy morning of touring, we perform the first of 2 concerts in one day! The first was an outdoor concert in the Mirabell Gardens. Christopher was selected as one of 2 young soloists on the tour based on a solo competition that was held back in January. Here he is performing the first movement of the Marcello Oboe Cocerto in C Minor.
Christopher did a great job in his first performance of his concerto in Europe. It is challenging to play outdoors, since the sound of your own instrument and the accompaniment carries in different directions. Also, for reed instruments, the outside air (especially wind) can make the reed very unpredictable.
It was fun to watch the crowd gather as we played. Europeans have such a knowledge and appreciation for classical music and jazz.
