This recording presented by Leon Bosch and I Musicanti features three of Giovanni Bottesini’s String Quintets – two are world premiere recordings: Bottesini, as well as being arguably the most significant figure in the history of the double bass, was also an opera conductor and the composer of over a dozen operas, six string quartets and four string quintets. Available to purchase from I Musicanti Publishing
Sunday 19th September 2021 @ 6:30pm The distinguished musicians of I Musicanti – Tamás András and Benedict Holland (violins), Robert Smissen (viola), Richard Harwood (cello), Leon Bosch (double bass) – perform two masterworks for strings: Beethoven’s G major Quartet (1800) from the Op. 18 set, and Dvořák’s ever-popular Second Quintet (1875). In between, they celebrate the bicentenary of famous double bass virtuoso Giovanni Bottesini (1821-1889) with his remarkable Gran Quintetto and a beautiful miniature by an earlier master, Ditters von Dittersdorf. Buy […]
Thursday 30th April @ 7:30pm Leon Bosch’s programme showcases the double bass in all its glory, from a virtuoso solo instrument to a thrilling ensemble player. The performance is bookended by Bosch’s own acclaimed ensemble ‘I Musicanti’, opening the concert with the London première of Bottesini’s Grand Quintet in C minor and closing the evening with Dvorák’s Op. 77. In between, he is joined by the award-winning pianist Rebecca Omordia, and will play a stirring commission by Roxanna Panufnik, […]
Sunday 16th September @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm A welcome return to Conway Hall for Leon Bosch’s renowned ensemble, I Musicanti, featuring the first outing of York-born composer Robin Walker’s The Song of Bone on Stone, especially written for Leon Bosch. Framing this exciting world premiere are two classics of the chamber music repertoire, including an intimate arrangement of Beethoven’s grand ‘Emperor’ concerto by 19th century composer Vinzenz Lachner. Tamás András (violin) Fenella Humphreys (violin) Robert Smissen (viola) […]
Unusual instrumental combinations distinguish the final programme of this series: Prokofiev’s ballet-inspired quintet (without cello) and Glinka’s septet (without viola) both also feature the oboe among their wind instrument members. Alongside a duo for violin and double bass, the programme includes a new work by award-winning film composer Alexandra Harwood. Programme: Prokofiev (1891 – 1953) – Quintet in G minor Op. 39 Dmitri Smirnov (b.1948) – Dialogues in the Dark Alexandra Harwood (b. – Ever After (world premiere) Glinka (1804 […]
I Musicanti and their artistic director Leon Bosch return to St John’s Smith Square for ‘Alexandra and the Russians’, a second season of work from the chamber music repertoire partnered with new commissions. While the emphasis is on grand music from the time of imperial Russia in the shape of Tchaikovsky, Glinka and Arensky (including some relatively unfamiliar works and uncommon instrumental formations), the series adds mordant contributions from later in the 20th century too. Each programme in […]
I Musicanti are delighted to announce they will be performing a short series of concerts in the new 2016/17 season at St John’s Smith Square, London. These concerts will take place on Sunday 8th January, 3pm, Sunday 5th March, 3pm, and Sunday 28th May, 3pm. The ensemble will perform the following programmes: Sunday 8th January Mozart Piano Quartet in Eb K493 Peter Klatzow Piano Quintet (world premiere) Schubert Quintet in A D667 ‘Trout’ Sunday 5th March Mozart Flute Quartet in D K285 Paganini Terzetto for Violin, Cello and […]
I MUSICANTI PERFORM AT KINGS PLACE I Musicanti are pleased to announce their first concert in the LCMS series which will take place on Sunday 1st May, 6.30pm at Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG. The ensemble will perform the following programme: Dvořák String Quintet in G, Op. 77 Smirnov Piano Quintet, Op. 72 Beethoven, arr. Lachner Piano Concerto No. 4 in G, Op. 58 (with Martin Roscoe, piano solo) Martin Roscoe (Piano), Zsolt-Tihamer Visontay (Violin), Fenella Humphreys (Violin) Robert Smissen (Viola), Richard Harwood (Cello), Leon […]
One of a small number of double bassists with an international reputation as a solo performer, the South African virtuoso double bassist Leon Bosch has announced that he will be leaving his position as principal double bass with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields.