Jūrmala Festival. Piano Concerto No. 1 by Tchaikovsky and Violin Concerto by Mendelssohn

Performers: Kristīne Balanas (violin), George Harliono (piano, United Kingdom), Jūrmala festival orchestra, conductor Ainārs Rubiķis

Approximate running time 2 hours 30 minutes including intermission.

Programme: Piano Concerto No. 1 by Tchaikovsky and Violin Concerto by Mendelssohn in E minor, Op. 64

Tchaikovsky's piano concert and Mendelssohn's violin concert both overflow with a silvery romantic delight. Opuses, where the piano and violin can dazzle, captivate and excite.

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS:

Violinist Kristīne Balanas is one of those Latvian musicians, who gradually opened the gates to the world stage. Kristīne has performed with her violin at the Berlin and Philharmonie de Paris, Barbican Centre in London and other prestigious concert halls. "The Times" described the Latvian violinist Kristīne Balanas as a "dazzling virtuoso". Kristīne returns to Dzintari Concert Hall with the Mendelssohn's violin concert, which was performed in December. It combines the most characteristic features of the composer – lyrics, pastoral beauty and wonderful clarity. A piece that lives in the golden repertoire of violinists and delights with its magic.

The young British pianist George Harliono performed his first solo concert at the age of nine. The famous Russian pianist Denis Matsuev said: “George is extremely talented. A bright future awaits him!” Horliono has performed in prestigious concert venues such as Wigmore Hall and Royal Albert Hall in London, Chicago Symphony Hall and others. Collaborated with the conductors Valery Gergiev, Alexander Sladkovsky, Francesco Milioto. The British pianist has a special connection with Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concert. This piece, that shows the power of light, has become one of the icons of Russian classical music, and, in 2016, George Harliono performed it in the famous Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory. The concert was broadcast live on Russian National Television and the prestigious Medici.tv music channel.