Violinist Hagai Shaham will appear with the Belgrade Philharmonic string ensemble in the third chamber music concert of the season, on Thursday, 11 February at 7pm, at the Belgrade Philharmonic Hall. A baroque repertoire, consisting of Bach’s and Vivaldi’s masterpieces, will be complemented by a shining pearl of classicism – Adagio from Mozart’s Divertimento.
 
Hailed for his thrilling virtuosity, lustrous tone and profound artistic expression, Hagai Shaham is internationally recognized as one of the most exciting Israeli violinists. In the season 2009/2010, Shaham was an Artist in Residence in the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra and one of the initiators of its chamber scene. With the BPO musicians, he will perform Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No 3 and the Concerto for Two Violins, Strings and Continuo in D minor, Vivaldi’s Concerto for four violins, cello and strings in B minor and Mozart’s Adagio from Divertimento No 15.
 
“I am delighted to appear again with the Belgrade Philharmonic musicians. The repertoire is wonderfully balanced and, in addition to the most beautiful pieces of the Baroque period, we will also play Mozart’s Adagio, which is my contribution to the programme. This composition was premiered by Mozart himself and, pleased with the performance, he wrote to his father that there was no pianist in Europe who could play it as beautifully as he did. Therefore, my task will not be an easy one“, said Hagai Shaham.
 
The Israeli violinist has performed with many of the world’s major orchestras, including the English Chamber Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra under Zubin Mehta. At Mehta’s invitation, Shaham performed Brahms’ Double Concerto at Carnegie Hall. He teaches at the Jerusalem Music Academy and in many masterclasses.
 
The next concert from the chamber music series is scheduled on 28 April, when the BPO musicians will appear under the artistic leadership of violinist Gregory Ahss.