The Endler Concert Prestige Series presents the internationally acclaimed German violinist, Alissa Margulis, and Portuguese Stellenbosch-based pianist Luis Magalhães at 8pm on Saturday 29 October in the Endler Hall, Stellenbosch. Both artists need little introduction to Stellenbosch audiences as they have so often dazzled with their performances at the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival. The programme for this concert includes: Beethoven’s titanic Kreutzer Sonata, Tartini/Kreisler’s Devil’s Trill Sonata and Brahm’s masterful D-minor Sonata.

The popularity of Beethoven’s Kreutzer Sonata must surely be attributed to the juxtaposition of the tempestuous Beethoven at his best with some achingly beautiful themes. Although officially a sonata, the Kreuzer was said to be, by Beethoven himself, more like a concerto in its grand scope, breadth of emotion and level of difficulty. Tartini himself gave the Devil’s Trill Sonata its byname, explaining that he had written down the piece after waking from a particularly vivid dream of the Devil playing a violin with ferocious virtuosity. Brahms’ D-minor Sonata (1888), is his last of three works for the violin-piano duo and represents the composer at the height of his powers as a master intellect and craftsman.

Margulis is praised for her expressive and very emotional performances that have earned her recognition as one of today’s most distinguished artists. The Guardian describes Alissa Margulis’ playing as “exceptional“; Ivry Gitlis praises it as “a revelation” and Martha Argerich calls her a “strong musical personality”. Born in Germany into a family of Russian musicians, Alissa Margulis studied in Cologne with Zakhar Bron, in Brussels with Augustin Dumay and in Vienna with Pavel Vernikov. She won numerous prizes at international violin competiitons and was awarded with the “Pro Europa” prize of the European Arts Foundation which was presented to her by Daniel Barenboim in Berlin.

Described as possessing a “wonderfully full sound” (American Record Guide) and a “polished, refined technique” (Allmusic.com), Luis Magalhães has achieved critical acclaim as a solo recitalist, concert pianist, teacher and chamber musician. Born in Portugal and currently residing in Stellenbosch, South Africa, Luis’s career as a pianist displays the cosmopolitanism typical of successful 21st century musicianship. Luis has played extensively across Europe with recent engagements in Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom, his native Portugal, Switzerland, Spain, France, Italy, amongst others. Beyond Europe, he has appeared on stages in Brazil, South Africa, China, Japan, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and on numerous occasions, the United States.

Tickets for R140 (regular) and R100 (pensioners, students, and scholars) are available now through Webtickets and at the door one hour before the concert. For more information contact Fiona Grayer at concerts@sun.ac.za or 021 808 2358.

PROGRAMME

BEETHOVEN Violin Sonata No. 9, Op. 47 “Kreutzer”

TARTINI/KREISLER Devil’s Trill

BRAHMS Violin Sonata No. 3