This year, Ensemble Ricercata will again present a grand concert at the Slovak Radio. As part of the Concertos program, the Chamber Orchestra ZOE will perform alongside prominent soloists – soprano Helga Varga Bach, cellist Jozef Lupták, and pianist Ivan Šiller. Concertgoers can look forward to a dialogue of music spanning centuries, featuring works by Luigi Boccherini, Vladimír Godár, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Lukáš Borzík.
December 14, 2024, Sat
Slovak Radio Concert Studio 7:00 PM
The Chamber Orchestra ZOE is a unique ensemble that has been part of the Slovak music scene for 16 years. The orchestra comprises young Slovak artists who have proven their exceptional qualities in numerous concerts both in Slovakia and abroad. Soprano Helga Varga Bach is primarily focused on concert work, with a repertoire dominated by Baroque and Classical composers. She has also recorded many works by contemporary Slovak and foreign composers. Cellist Jozef Lupták is one of the artists shaping the musical and cultural landscape in Slovakia, having received several awards and nominations. He regularly performs on international stages, from the USA to New Zealand, and collaborates with leading global musicians and ensembles. Pianist Ivan Šiller is a concert performer and university educator. He has created over 15 musical projects and organizes festivals and concert cycles. His artistic work has earned him numerous awards and nominations.
At the last concert of the year, titled Concertos, listeners will experience a rich palette of musical styles and moods, uniting the works of the Baroque genius Johann Sebastian Bach, the melodic elegance of the Classical Luigi Boccherini, and the contemporary depth of Slovak composers Vladimír Godár and Lukáš Borzík. The common thread across all pieces will be the solo parts for voice, cello, and piano, creating a sound contrast and symbiosis with the string chamber orchestra.
Concertos, as a musical form, have evolved hand in hand with the compositional language of composers and have always been a “showcase” of solo instrumental, often virtuosic, artistry. Boccherini’s Cello Concerto brings the nobility and delicate lyricism of the Classical period. Boccherini, a brilliant cellist himself, wrote 12 cello concertos. The cello will also be the focal point in Godár’s Emmeleia, which opens space for deep reflection and emotional introspection through the velvety sounds of the instrument. One of the seven versions of this frequently performed work from 1994 will be featured at the concert. Bach’s Et exultavit spiritus meus from Magnificat was written during Christmas in 1723 in Leipzig by the most famous Baroque master, Johann Sebastian Bach. A small excerpt from his Mass in B minor (1724–1749) will also be performed, the aria Laudamus Te. The world premiere of Lukáš Borzík’s Light Inside Me will also take place, written for piano and string orchestra. The evening will conclude with Bach’s Piano Concerto in F minor, BWV 1056, a delicate fusion of virtuosity and lyrical moments where the piano creates a beautiful symbiosis with the orchestra.
The concert program is a perfect balance between historical continuity, spiritual depth, and artistic innovation, appealing to both classical music lovers and those seeking modern reflections on traditional values.
Concert Program:
- Luigi Boccherini – Cello Concerto in B Major, G.482 (1760–1770)
- Vladimír Godár – Emmeleia for Cello and Orchestra (1994)
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Magnificat in D Major, BWV 243 – Et exultavit spiritus meus (1723)
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Mass in B minor, BWV 232 – Laudamus Te (1749)
- Lukáš Borzík – Light Inside Me (2024)
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Piano Concerto in F minor, BWV 1056 (1738)
Tickets: Pre-sale 5€