This concert conducted by Domonkos Héja features two great guest soloists on some of the larger stringed instruments. A full and resonant viola sound, an evocative performance style and perfect technical preparation – these are the distinctive hallmarks of the presence that Germany's Tabea Zimmermann brings to the stage. And if one substitutes the word “cello” for “viola”, then the description applies just as perfectly to István Várdai's playing as well. Várdai has become a favourite of Hungarian concert-goers in recent years, and Zimmermann has also graced the local audience with her presence and playing more than once.
The first half of the concert opens with Várdai playing the Romance in F major that Richard Strauss wrote for cello and orchestra at age 19, followed by Zimmermann's performance of the Viola Concerto left behind by Béla Bartók in undeveloped form for Tibor Serly to complete. Following the interval, the two soloists will join together with Concerto Budapest to perform Strauss's symphonic poem Don Quixote, subtitled “Fantastic Variations on a Theme of Knightly Character”. The work features the solo cello as the title character in the Cervantes novel, while the solo viola (along with the tenor tuba and bass clarinet) evokes the character of the Don's not entirely willing – yet ever faithful – squire, Sancho Panza.

Presented by: Concerto Budapest