Ksenija Sidorova & NFM Leopoldinum Chamber Orchestra

The opening of the new season of the NFM Leopoldinum Chamber Orchestra brings together early music, twentieth-century works, and contemporary compositions. The orchestra is conducted by violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky, with Latvian accordion virtuoso Ksenija Sidorova performing the solo part.

The first half opens with Battalia à 10 in D major by Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Bieber - a composition depicting battle, full of unexpected dynamic shifts and percussion effects, including col legno playing. This is followed by Johann Sebastian Bach's Harpsichord Concerto in D minor BWV 1052, arranged for accordion and strings, and the first half concludes with Mieczysław Weinberg's Chamber Symphony No. 2 for string orchestra and timpani op. 147 from 1987.

The second half features contemporary works. Pēteris Vasks' The Fruit of Silence (2013) is a contemplative choral work based on Mother Teresa of Calcutta's prayer for peace, here arranged for accordion, vibraphone, and strings. Hysteria by Italian accordionist and composer Pietro Roffi is a piece with striking rhythm and great dynamism. The evening concludes with Osvaldo Golijov's Last Round (1996) - a tribute to tango and Astor Piazzolla, drawing on a story by Julio Cortázar - and Polish and Argentine tangos inspired by the Buenos Aires tradition.