Vilnius festival. Paganini Ensemble Vienna. Masterpieces for Quartet by the Violin Genius

27th VILNIUS FESTIVAL. Musical Odyssey

Performers:
PAGANINI ENSEMBLE VIENNA (Austria):
MARIO HOSSEN (violin)
MARTA POTULSKA (viola)
LILIANA KEHAYOVA (cello)
ALEXANDER SWETE (guitar)

Programme:
NICCOLÒ PAGANINI – Quartet for violin, viola, guitar and cello in A minor, Op. 4 No. 1, MS 28; Terzetto in D major for violin, guitar and cello, MS 69; Theme and variations (after Caprice Op. 1 No. 24)
RAINER BISCHOF – Gitarrenquartett
NICCOLÒ PAGANINI – Quartet for violin, viola, guitar and cello No. 9 in D major, MS 36

Niccolò Paganini’s is best known in the history of music as a violin star with an unprecedented and spectacular touring around Europe. Chopin heard him in Warsaw, Liszt in Paris and Schubert in Vienna, and everyone who heard Paganini was impressed by a talent far beyond the human capacity. There were rumours that he had sold his soul to the Devil for his genius, stories were told that sparks flew from his bow when he played, ladies swooned at his concerts. He became the symbol of the romantic hero. Paganini did not try to deny the gossip and continued to give breath-taking recitals in which he also performed his own works. He wrote not only for violin, but also for various chamber ensembles, solos, duets, trios, quartets for violin, guitar, viola and cello – for the grand stage and for home music making. It is less well known that Paganini was also an accomplished viola and guitar player.

Bulgarian-born Austrian violinist and conductor Mario Hossen is the founder of Paganini Ensemble Wien, a well-known performer and scholar of Paganini’s work, and an internationally acclaimed artist. At the age of 17, he performed all 24 Paganini caprices. In addition to Paganini’s music, Hossen also plays a wide range of works by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Bruch. He plays the 1749 Guadagnini violin and appears with orchestras such as the Wiener Symphoniker, the Wiener Kammerorchester, Bruckner, the English Chamber Orchestra, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Orchestra della Scala di Milano and others.

Hossen’s colleagues – violist Marta Potulska, cellist Liliana Kehayova and guitarist Alexader Swete – are laureates of numerous international competitions, soloists and members of renowned Austrian ensembles, performing extensively around the world.

Musicologist Danilo Prefumo: “Paganini Ensemble Wien has set itself the high goal of presenting this rarely performed programme, which offers a unique insight into Paganini’s works for violin, guitar, viola and cello. These works are not only virtuosic, but they are also full of great passion, tenderness, suffering and moments of joy.”