Newsletter, December 2014

Daniel Lozakovitj makes his debut in Beethoven’s Violin Concerto

Thirteen-year-old Swedish violinist Daniel Lozakovitj has had a busy schedule this autumn. It started with several solo performances with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Stockholm. This was followed by appearances at festivals and events in Switzerland, Austria and elsewhere. Just recently he visited Konzerthaus Berlin to take part in Arte TV’s program Arte Concert, in which he played Bartok’s Duets with Daniel Hope. This episode in the program ARTE Lounge is hosted by Daniel Hope and will be shown in February 2015.

On 6 Dec. Daniel makes his debut in Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with Nizhny Novgorod Symphony Orchestra. He will play this concerto several times in the spring of 2015: on 7 Jan. in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, with the Balearic Symphony Orchestra; on 10 and 11 Jan. at Wiener Konzerthaus with Wiener KammerOrchester led by principal conductor Stefan Vladar; in February with the same orchestra at le Festival des Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad.

Q: What does Beethoven’s Violin Concerto mean to you?

A: In my view it is the most important concerto there is. It is my favourite concerto and I have dreamt about playing it since I was 8. It is such a personal and very profound concerto, and there are so many emotions in each movement.

Q: You have taken part in several international competitions. Last February you won 2nd Prize in the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin International Competition for Young Violinists in the USA. On 2 Dec. you will open the 15th Nutcracker International Television Contest for Young Musicians, playing Tchaikovsky’s Valse-Scherzo. Even at the age of 10, you won first prize and the “Golden Nutcracker” in this competition. What is your opinion of competitions?

A: Taking part in competitions is important, since you gain useful experiences when learning new things. Furthermore you meet other musicians and get an opportunity to play with professionals.

Q: Who are your role models, and what conductors would you like to work with in the future?

A: There are so many violinists I admire, it is difficult to mention just a few… but Jascha Haifetz and Yehudi Menuhin for example. Among many conductors… Zubin Mehta, Daniel Barenboim and Valery Gergijev.

Daniel Lozakovitj is currently studying with Professor Josef Rissin at Karlsruhe’s University of Music and with Professor Gerhard Schulz at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna. Last summer he was Student in Residence at the Verbier Festival and in April 2015 he will take part in Verbier Festival’s music cruise on the Black Sea. Daniel has performed with Virtuosos of Moscow, Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, Stockholm Sinfonietta and Brussels Chamber Orchestra, just to mention a few.

For more information about Daniel Lozakovitj please visit The Swedish Concert Bureau's homepage

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Christmas for Jakob Högström starts on 3 Dec. at the Stockholm Concert Hall where he is a soloist in Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with Eric Ericson’s Chamber Choir and the Helsinki Baroque Orchestra. On 9 Dec. Jakob is soloist with Norrköping Symphony Orchestra in a moving English Christmas Concert in Charles Dickens’ spirit.

Ann-Kristin Jones is soloist, as the Danish National Chamber Orchestra plays Händel’s Messiah on 4 Dec. at DR Koncerthuset.

Maria Fontosh will sing Musetta’s part in the Finnish National Opera’s La Bohème. Performances on Dec. 12, 16 and 29 and on Jan. 3, 8, 10.

Michael Weinius is soloist in the Stockholm Sinfonietta’s traditional Christmas concerts between 15 and 21 Dec. Conductor is Gustaf Sjökvist. Later you can hear Michael sing and see him conduct, as he and Tobias Ringborg lead the Orchestra of Opera North’s New Year’s Concert “Viennese Whirl” on a tour in England between 28 and 30 Dec. Michael and Tobias then bring this musical firework display to the Stockholm Concert Hall where they lead the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s Twelfth Night Concert on 5 Jan.

Gregor Bühl will lead Malmö Opera in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel. The Gingerbread Witch in this well-known fairy-tale will be sung by Jonas Durán. Magdalena Risberg will sing the part of Gretel, and Daniel Hällström will be Peter, the broom-maker. The opening night is on 20 Dec. and performances will be given until 22 Febr. 2015.

Paul Mägi will lead Blåsarsymfonikerna at Musikaliska’s New Year’s Gala Performance on 31 Dec. The concert includes sparkling opera and operetta favourites.

Soprano Hannah Holgersson and trombonist Nils Landgren are soloists at Dalasinfoniettan’s New Year’s concerts between 1 and 5 Jan.

Joakim Unander will conduct Norrköping Symphony Orchestra when they put on Die Fledermaus on Twelfth Night, 5 Jan. Kristina Hansson is Rosalinde and Daniel Frank Alfred. On 10 Jan. Joakim will lead the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra during the Open House Day at the Stockholm Concert Hall.