Concert II: Beethoven the Spaniard

The young Beethoven in Bonn was often called the Spaniard, the "spagnol", because of his dark complexion and short stature. At least we know he knew Boccherini and Martín y Soler from the Spanish music of his time, as can also be heard in his famous Septet. The enchanting violinist Viviane Hagner, a former scholar of the Villa Musica, takes on the virtuoso violin part of Opus 20, which was one of Beethoven's greatest successes. She will be joined by some of the best young chamber musicians in Europe, all scholars of the Villa Musica. Hagner will also take the lead in the E flat major trio from Opus 70, which surprised contemporaries with its sweetness. Enrique Granados was one of the Spanish piano geniuses of the early 20th century. His dramatic Piano Quintet is a reminder of his violent death on the ferry Sussex, which was torpedoed by a German submarine in the English Channel in 1916. The 12-year-old Dalí and his family also mourned the loss of this great composer.

Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Trio in E flat major, op. 70 no.2

Septet in E flat major, op.20

Enrique Granados: Piano Quintet, op. 49