SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL

 Hear the Violin Sing: Viviane Hagner performs in concert with BBC National Orchestra of Wales at Cardiff's St. David's Hall 2.10.2009 (BK)

Viviane Hagner  - Picture © Marco Borggreve

One of the most eagerly watched violinists to emerge in recent years,  Viviane Hagner joins the BBC National Orchestra of Wales for the second concert in the Orchestra’s series at St David’s Hall, Cardiff at 7p.m. on Friday 2 October.  Hagner will play composer Berg’s final masterwork – the tragic Violin Concerto which movingly ends with a meditation on one of Bach’s best known chorales.

Still in her 20s, Munich born Hagner has played with the world’s greatest orchestras and is particularly noted for her authoritative performances of contemporary works. She joined BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Wales national Orchestra for their German tour and the combination of Orchestra and soloist received an amazing reaction from audiences and her performances continue to cause a sensation with critics:  “Hagner’s performance, vibrant, warm toned and jaw droppingly precise, may well be unimprovable.” San Francisco Chronicle

Viviane Hagner will unite with the Orchestra’s Swiss Principal Conductor Thierry Fischer for their first performance together. The concert programme for the evening is very much at the heart of the conductor’s vision and passion with grandeur of Bach/Stokowski’s Toccata & Fugue to the stormy opening of Brahms First Symphony in addition to Berg’s work; heartfelt music that never fails to connect with audiences.

This is the first of four concerts this autumn at St David’s Hall featuring all four of Brahms’ Symphonies.  The concert will be recorded live for Radio 3.

Booking Information:

Tickets are £10 - £22 with discounts available from BBC National Orchestra of Wales Audience Line on 0800 052 1812. Tickets are also available from the St David’s Hall Box Office on 029 20878 444 or stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk.

Glyn Pursglove will review this concert for Seen and Heard International.

Bill Kenny