‘National Orchestra of Belgium’

Since he became second laureate of the Queen Elisabeth Competition at just eighteen years of age Yossif Ivanov has earned himself a place in the hearts of Belgian music lovers. Things are going well for him internationally too and he is regularly in concert on three continents. Today he is playing solo in Mendelssohn’s demanding Violin Concerto. For some this is one of the most beautiful works of the violin repertoire. Next on the programme is Mozart’s Symphony no. 31, also known as the ‘Paris’ because he was asked to write it when he was looking for work in the City of Light. We begin and end with works by Richard Strauss, namely the graceful symphonic poem Don Juan and the suite with themes from his popular opera Der Rosenkavalier.