Summertime Classics

This programme brings together a vibrant tapestry of musical styles, spanning Baroque brilliance, Romantic charm, folk‑inspired colour, and the unforgettable melodies of film and tango traditions. It opens with the freshness of Vivaldi’s Spring, a celebration of renewal and light, before leaping into the sparkling wit of Johann Strauss II’s Tritsch‑Tratsch Polka. Bach’s noble Double Concerto adds poise and contrapuntal elegance, while Brahms’s Hungarian Dance No. 1 introduces fiery rhythms and folkloric flair. The journey continues with Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances, a vivid portrait of Eastern European tradition, followed by the virtuosic sweep of Monti’s Czardas. A shift into cinematic warmth brings the tender nostalgia of Morricone’s Cinema Paradiso and the radiant optimism of Piovani’s La Vita è Bella. Morricone returns with the serene, soaring beauty of Gabriel’s Oboe, a modern classic of lyrical simplicity. The world of tango then takes centre stage: Gardel’s Por Una Cabeza with its irresistible charm, and Piazzolla’s Libertango with its bold, modern edge. Gershwin’s Summertime adds a touch of soulful American warmth before Brahms returns with the ever‑popular Hungarian Dance No. 5, full of rhythmic sparkle. The programme closes with two iconic orchestral showpieces: the graceful sweep of Strauss’s Blue Danube and the electrifying energy of Vivaldi’s Summer (Presto)—a thrilling finale that brings the evening to a dazzling close. Musicians Violin - Stefan Calleja, Kurt Falzon, Ian Ellul, Samuel Cutajar, Pierre Louis Attard Stephen Scerri, Peter Fenech Viola - Stephanie Pavia Cello - Desirée Calleja, Daniel Xuereb Double Bass - Abigail Grech Programme 1. Antonio Vivaldi – Spring (1st movement) 2. Johann Strauss II – Tritsch‑Tratsch Polka 3. Johann Sebastian Bach – Double Concerto (1st movement) 4. Johannes Brahms – Hungarian Dance No. 1 5. Bela Bartók – Romanian Folk Dances 6. Vittoria Monti – Czardas 7. Ennio Morricone – Cinema Paradiso 8. Nicola Piovani – La V