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Step into the intimate atmosphere of 1901 Arts Club as Chamber Principals of London brings its Salon Evenings trilogy to a close with Twin Virtuosi.
Bringing together Concertmaster Sergey Levitin and Principal Second Violin Jan Schmolck of the Royal Ballet and Opera Orchestra, this final instalment celebrates the unique artistry of the violin duo, placing two equal voices side by side in music that ranges from elegant conversation to dazzling virtuosity. The programme traces a journey across three centuries of musical imagination. Leclair, Viotti, and Spohr showcase the brilliance, elegance, and virtuosity of the great violin tradition, while Schnittke's Praeludium in memoriam Dmitri Shostakovich and his playful Moz-Art offer striking contrasts of reflection and theatricality. Bartók's miniature duos draw on the colours and rhythms of folk music before Halvorsen's Concert Caprice on Norwegian Folk Tunes brings the evening to a sparkling conclusion. Along the way, the performers share insights and reflections from the stage, inviting audiences into the music and the stories behind it. Join us for an evening of virtuosity, imagination, and musical dialogue, where two violins reveal an extraordinary world of colour, character, and connection. |
ProgrammeJ.-M. Leclair
Sonata No.4 in F major G.B. Viotti Duo for two violins No.3 in G major L. Spohr Duo concertante for two violins. Op.67 No.2 in D major ~ interval ~ A. Schnittke Praeludium in memoriam Dmitri Schostakowitsch A. Schnittke Moz-Art à la Haydn (after the fragment K. 416d) for two violins B. Bartok Selection of Duos J. Halvorse Concert caprice on Norwegian folk tunes for two violins |
Chamber Principals of LondonChamber Principals of London unites leading principals from London’s foremost orchestras and professors from top conservatoires in a dynamic ensemble renowned for its artistry and versatility. More than colleagues, they are long-time collaborators and friends, united by a shared artistic vision and a belief that chamber music is a conversation—one that invites the listener in. Praised for their debut at the Teatro Verdi di Salerno, they perform across classical and contemporary repertoire in formations of every size, delivering music of the highest artistry in settings both grand and intimate.
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Sergey Levitin
Internationally acclaimed violinist and founder of Chamber Principals of London, Sergey Levitin is Concertmaster of the Royal Ballet and Opera and a prizewinner at the Lipizer and Paganini International Violin Competitions. Appointed Concertmaster of the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra at just 23, he toured extensively under Valery Gergiev, appearing at major festivals including the Edinburgh Festival and White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg. He has since performed as soloist and guest leader with many of the world’s top orchestras, recorded for labels including Philips, Decca, and Dutton Epoch, and collaborated with artists such as Sir Antonio Pappano and Alison Balsom. His chamber music collaborations span a wide range of repertoire and partners, reflecting a lifelong dedication to music-making that is both virtuosic and deeply communicative. He also serves as artistic advisor to Les Homards Indociles, a French chamber music initiative and festival.
Jan Schmolck
London-based violinist Jan Schmolck is Principal Second Violin of the Royal Ballet and Opera Orchestra and Leader of the Orchestra of St John's. Alongside these positions, he is regularly invited to guest-lead many of the UK's and Europe's leading orchestras, including the Hallé Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and Musikkollegium Winterthur. As a soloist, he has appeared in a wide-ranging repertoire from Bach and Vivaldi to Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and Vaughan Williams, with performances broadcast internationally and recordings released on labels including Chandos and Black Box. A dedicated chamber musician, he has been a member of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble and a founding member of the Angell Trio, collaborating with artists such as Sir Antonio Pappano, Ian Bostridge, Jörg Widmann, and Anthony Marwood. He is also a committed educator, teaching at Trinity Laban Conservatoire and regularly coaching at the Royal Academy of Music.
