6th chamber concert

A journey through Dresden's musical heritage from Westhoff to Rolla. Alfia Bakieva - violin, Alexander Janiczek - violin

From the 17th century onwards, Dresden, as a vibrant musical centre, also attracted composers and performers who shaped the tradition of the violin duo - both as chamber music and as a virtuoso showpiece. An early master was Johann Paul von Westhoff (1656-1705), court musician under Elector Johann Georg II, who was one of the first to compose unaccompanied violin music and thus also influenced Bach. Another key figure was Johann Georg Pisendel (1687-1755), concertmaster of the Dresden court orchestra and one of the greatest German violinists. As an admirer of Vivaldi, he expanded the technical possibilities of the instrument and played a decisive role in the spread of the Italian and French styles in Dresden. Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) dedicated a violin concerto to Pisendel for the wedding of Elector Friedrich August to Archduchess Maria Josepha of Austria in 1719.

The tradition of the violin duo was continued in the 19th century by Alessandro and Antonio Rolla, father and son, the former a teacher of Paganini and the latter concertmaster of the Royal Orchestra in Dresden from 1823. Paganini himself performed here in 1829, delighting audiences and influencing composers such as Louis Spohr. Spohr, violinist, composer and conductor, became a master of the violin duo, combining classical sophistication with romantic expressivity. His works, together with those of Westhoff, Pisendel, Telemann, Rolla and Paganini, are presented by Alfia Bakieva and Alexander Janiczek as intimate yet powerful musical dialogues full of harmony and passion.

The Tatar violinist Alfia Bakieva, who has won several prizes at international competitions and lives in Salzburg, plays a violin by Francesco Rugeri (Cremona, 1680), on loan from the Jumpstart Jr. Foundation. Alexander Janiczek, concertmaster of the Dresden Festival Orchestra and the Orchestra of the 18th Century Amsterdam, is professor of violin in Trossingen. He will be playing a »ex Sorkin« Guarneri del Gesu (1731) on loan from the Austrian National Bank.

Prices:
Single tickets in advance €22.00,
24.00 on the day of the event from 3 p.m. and €11.00 for schoolchildren, apprentices and students

The price includes the opportunity to visit the Saxon Wine Museum on the day of the concert as well as a glass of sparkling wine from the Hoflößnitz or optionally a non-alcoholic drink, which will be served from 1 hour before the concert. All prices include 7 % VAT.

Admission is from 30 minutes before the concert begins