New concerts from the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra

Returning to music halls and theatres after performing in the streets, the musicians of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra are set to take the stage with a new concert series. Premiere 1 is a musical encounter of honourary conductor Alkis Baltas with both the Orchestra and Savvas Lagou, one of its violinists and the featured soloist in Mozart’s Third Violin Concerto. Distinctive for its gracefully ornate solo writing, especially in the cadenzas, this lightly orchestrated concerto is one of the five that Mozart wrote during his lifetime, all composed in 1775 at the age of 19 and to be performed in the concert.

Presented on October 13 in Nicosia, 14 in Larnaca and 15 in Paphos, the Premiere 1 concert will open with yet another classical delight: Joseph Haydn’s exquisitely vivacious and lyrical Overture in D major, written two years later in 1777.

Then, Triptychon by Alkis Baltas will get its Cyprus premiere. Commissioned in 1978 by a German company, it premiered in Berlin the same year, by an orchestra consisting of members of the Deutsche Oper Berlin under the direction of the composer. It is distinguished for its use of contrapuntal techniques within a more contemporary style. Also part of the repertoire is Suite no. 2, one of the earliest examples of Stravinsky’s emerging neoclassical tendencies that ranks among his lightest and most amusing works.

Premiere 1

Concert by the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra, conductor Alkis Baltas and violinist Savvas Lagou. October 13. Pallas Theatre, Nicosia. October 14. Larnaca Municipal Theatre, Larnaca. October 15. Markideio Theatre, Paphos. 8.30pm. Tickets online at www.cyso.org.cy and Pallas Theatre Box Office