Our title only reveals half the truth:
Michael Hofstetter
conducts Mendelssohn's "Scottish Symphony". But before that, we go to France, with Saint-Saëns' ravishing Cello Concerto. Soloist:
Petar Pejčić
Scotland is up in arms – against Brexit and England.
In his “Scottish Symphony”, the young Felix Mendelssohn recalled the courage of the Scots on the battlefield over the centuries. Maria Stuart and the rough sea also make an appearance, whipped up by maestro Michael Hofstetter. The opening of Saint-Saëns‘ Cello Concerto No.1 is likewise stormy, played by the young Serb Petar Pejčić, prize winner at the 2020 Pablo Casals International Award and at the International Anna Kull Cello Competition in Graz.
After his musical beginnings on the cello in Belgrade, Petar Pejčić moved to Germany at the age of 15 to continue his education at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Leipzig. The young cellist is already a laureate of numerous national and international competitions and has given concerts and recitals from Russia to the USA.
Recreation is special in many ways: consisting of musicians whose nationalities range from Japan to Venezuela, most of the members received part of their training in Graz. After its formation in 2002, the collective has played in unique halls such as the Alte Oper Frankfurt and has worked with outstanding conductors.
The Munich-born conductor, born in 1961, has been a very close friend of Styriarte since his highly acclaimed work as chief conductor of the Recreation Orchestra (2012 - 2016). His excellence in the historical practice of baroque and classical music as well as his inspiring enthusiasm on the podium are in demand on the world's great concert and opera stages.
