Is the music of Mozart really "classical"? You better believe it!

Since the Bay Area's annual Midsummer Mozart Festival is currently in progress, there will be ample opportunity to revel in what we define as "classical music." Mozart's instrumental music will be performed at varied locations in July, and an opera, "The Abduction from the Seraglio," Aug. 1 and 3 in San Jose's California Theater.

Just what does it mean when the word "classical" precedes the word "music"? The answer can be a bit confusing.

In current common usage, "classical music" usually means serious music from the educated Western European tradition appropriate to concert halls, churches and other, more or less formal venues. Folk, rock and pop music would generally appear at the other end of this spectrum.

Or — "classical" more properly means the very specific style of music composed from about 1750 to around 1810. The definitive composers of this era were Franz Josef Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven during his early years. The period's signature music, as well as much of its architecture, painting and literature, was characterized by an emphasis on well-defined form, clarity and harmonious, balanced proportions. More often than not, classical art forms were beautiful, esthetic and pleasing to both the senses and the soul.

A majority of musicians agree that Mozart's music almost perfectly meshes with

While Program I of our annual Midsummer Mozart Festival opened last night at Mission Santa Clara, its first San Francisco performance will be at 7:30 tonight at Herbst Theatre. And what a concert it will be: Bay Area bred and educated musical genius Jon Nakamatsu will join internationally acclaimed Mozart interpreter Maestro George Cleve (also a longtime Bay Area resident), to perform Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major. Other works on the program will be the "Divertimento" in D major; the "Prague" Symphony No. 38; and the Oboe Concerto in C major, with Laura Griffiths, principal oboist of both the San Francisco Ballet and San Francisco Opera orchestras, as soloist.

Nakamatsu moved from his position as a German teacher at a high school in Mountain View to the world stage of pianism when he won the Gold Medal at the 10th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 1997. Modesty, however, could be Nakamatsu's middle name, because even his high school German students had no idea of his piano prowess before to his astonishing win.

During a previous interview, the courteous, soft-spoken pianist told me, "My very practical-minded parents urged me to study something secure, something I could fall back on, while I was at Stanford. As a result, I have a bachelor's degree in German studies and a master's in education." Nevertheless, he's still one of the world's best pianists.

Program II of the Midsummer Mozart Festival will consist of the "Gran Partitta" Serenade for Woodwinds and Contrabass in B-flat major and the beloved No. 24 Piano Concerto in C minor with Russian-born and educated pianist Nikolai Demidenko (now a British citizen) as soloist.

Demidenko will also perform a special solo piano recital at 7:30 July 31 at the Berkeley Congregational Church, featuring a wide range of Mozart's music, as well as the famed 24 Opus 28 Preludes by Frederic Chopin (an admitted Mozart lover).

Yet another special recital, this one highlighting Mozart's thoroughly international appeal, will feature two acclaimed artists from the Pacific Rim — pianist Yong Jean Park and pianist-conductor T.W. Kang.

Featured Mozart selections will be Theme and Variations in G major for piano four hands; Piano Concerto No. 20; and Symphony No. 38, the "Prague." The per formance will be at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2 at Le Petit Trianon, 72 N. Fifth St., in San Jose.

Reach Cheryl North at cherylnorth@hotmail.com.