The new Peak Music season opened with a superb performance by the mixed instrument chamber ensemble, I Musicanti with Tamás András. This excellent concert which featured a distinctive programme of Beethoven, was chamber music at its finest creating a delight for the audience to enjoy.
Well known international double bass virtuoso, Leon Bosch, founded I Musicanti in 2013. He was joined by violinists Benedict Holland and Claudia Dehnke, viola player Robert Smissen, and cellist Richard Harwood, to play a programme arranged by Karl Heinz under Bosch’s direction. Solo violinist Tamás András took front of stage showcasing exquisite musicianship.
The concert opened simply with string players, minus Bosch, playing Beethoven’s Symphony No 1 in C major. Having warmed up the audience, Bosch and Tamás András joined the ensemble taking the performance to new heights; it was a truly uplifting performance.
Bosch established I Musicanti to present distinctive programmes with a particular emphasis on music that has been lost and found or simply overlooked. This programme was arranged by Heinz, an arranger and composer, from works held at the Beethoven House in Bonn. Known as the Beethoven More or Less Project, it also included works from Romances No 1 and 2, and the Violin Concerto in D major.
When asked why he had chosen this programme Bosch replied “because it works”, and he was right. This clever arrangement offered a real contrast of lesser known and well known Beethoven music.
This concert definitely lived up to one of Peak Music’s stated aims; to promote high class music. Wigmore Hall standard is the goal and this performance scored.