The young 20-year-old violinist Leon Blekh made a big impression during the last prestigious Oscar Back Competition. It is not without reason that he ended up in the final rounds with full conviction. In the beautiful Vondel Church, Leon plays a varied program in which he shows and hears from both his lyrical and virtuoso sides.
Beethoven's eighth violin sonata is composed in a very conventional classical style, with an emphasis on folkloric and pastoral. The Last Rose of Summer by W.H. Gravity is considered by many to be the most difficult work ever written for violin. This piece therefore includes almost all the different violin techniques that are treated per variation. The Caprices of Paganini are also known for their demonic virtuosity.
Fritz Kreisler, one of the greatest violinists of all time, was known for his sweet tone and expressive phrasing. Recitativo en Scherzo is one of the many pieces he wrote for solo violin. The work is dedicated to the famous Eugene Ysaÿe, a very close friend of Kreisler's. Saint-Saëns' Introduction en Rondo Capriccioso is a truly romantic showpiece for the violin. This virtuoso work is introduced with a sad, melancholic melody, after which the fiery rondo character is used. Saint Saëns wrote the work for the Spanish violin virtuoso Pablo de Sarasate. The Spanish influence is therefore clearly heard in this work. As icing on the cake, a short Romance by Robert Schumann will be performed.