Everett Philharmonic Orchestra to perform matinee Mozart concert

EVERETT — Give your Valentine an early gift of beautiful music.

The Everett Philharmonic Orchestra’s annual “That Magnificant Mozart!” matinee concert on Sunday should make for a lovely afternoon.

The program begins with Paul-Elliott Cobbs directing the orchestra in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s overture to the opera “Idomeneo,” which is about the King of Crete shortly after the Trojan War. The work premiered in 1781 in Munich, Germany. Mozart was only 24 when he composed the opera.

Cobbs enjoys the annual Mozart concert, in part, he says, because Mozart was his mother’s favorite.

“The genius of Mozart is unsurpassed,” Cobbs said. “He is undoubtedly one of the greatest composers who ever lived.”

A highlight of the concert certainly will be flutist Janelle Janovich-Barrera performing Mozart’s “Flute Concerto in D Major” with the orchestra.

Janovich-Barrera, who grew up in the Tacoma area, is principal flute of the Southern California Philharmonic and the Southern California Gospel Song Celebration Orchestra. She and her saxophonist husband, James Barrera, form the ALLOY Wind Duo playing modern and experimental pieces.

This isn’t the first time the flutist has performed in Everett. In fact she is a longtime friend of conductor Cobbs.

The second half of the program features Mozart’s “Symphony No. 36 in C Major,” the “Linz,” written in 1783.

The Linz Symphony, which opened the series of Mozart’s five final symphonies, was written in about four days.

However, nothing in the music suggests the haste of its conception. The opening is deliberate, carefully considered music, and more deeply serious than customary to open a symphony. The ensuing allegro spiritoso is big and balanced.

If you go

“That Magnificent Mozart” by the Everett Philharmonic Orchestra

3 p.m. Feb. 12, First Presbyterian Church, 2936 Rockefeller Ave., Everett. A reception, with coffee and cookies, follows.

Tickets are $25 general admission, $20 for seniors and military, $10 for teens and students with ID and free for children accompanied by an adult. Available online at www.everettphil.org or by calling 206-270-9729. Arrive early to purchase tickets at the door.