BONIFAZIO ASIOLI: Symphony in F minor
GIOVANNI BATTISTA VIOTTI: Violin Concerto in A minor, No. 22, G. 97
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JOSEPH HAYDN: Symphony No. 104 (D major “London”), Hob. I:104

Liya Petrova violin
Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor: Diego Fasolis

The first concert of the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra Ferencsik season ticket features both Viennese and non-Viennese classics, with performances of works from Asioli, Viotti and Haydn, including the final symphony from the ‘father’ of the genre. Diego Fasolis, the superb Swiss conductor and leader of the I Barocchisti ensemble, has conducted concerts featuring vocalists such as Philippe Jaroussky, Max Emanuel Cencic and Cecilia Bartoli. The youthful soloist for the Viotti violin concerto, the Bulgarian-born Liya Petrova, was the winner of the Danish 2016 Carl Nielsen International Violin Competition and has performed with chamber musicians of the calibre of Emmanuel Pahud and Martha Argerich.

The first concert for the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra Ferencsik season ticket begins with two rarities. The Italian composer Bonifazio Asioli (1769–1832) was alive in the era of European music defined by Beethoven’s creative output. Asioli wrote secular and church music, and is also known for his numerous theoretical works, including treatises on guitar techniques and playing the double bass. On this occasion, the audience will be introduced to one of his symphonies. Giovanni Battista Viotti’s life (1755–1824) spanned the eras of both Beethoven and Mozart. In the period prior to Paganini, Viotti was a celebrated violin virtuoso who had a significant influence on how music was written for the instrument. He also maintained ties with some of the greats of the era, including Hadyn and Beethoven. Of his approximately 30 violin concertos, it will be number 22, which was written in the key of A minor, that will be heard here. The soloist for the concerto, the Bulgarian-born Liya Petrova, studied in Brussels under Augustin Dumay and was the winner of the 2016 Danish Carl Nielsen International Competition. Critics have praised her “extraordinarily mature, silvery voice” and the “majestic breadth of her phrasing”. The concert’s conductor, the Swiss Diego Fasolis, is the leader of the I Barocchisti ensemble. He regularly conducts productions for singers of the calibre of Philippe Jaroussky, Max Emanuel Cencic and Cecilia Bartoli.