i Spring, ii Summer, iii Autumn, iv Winter
The Four Seasons is a group of four violin concerti by Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi, each of which gives musical expression to a season of the year. These were composed around 1718–1723, when Vivaldi was the court chapel master in Mantua. The first two movements have been arranged for two violins by Raffaele Pagano.
i Escape from Itaca, ii Melody of Solitude, iii Night in the Forest, iv Samurai Temple, v Oasis and Rebirth
“Il Menestrello” tells the story of a young orphan raised with a violin, his only emotional bond. Having escaped from the orphanage, he lives peacefully in the village of Ithaca, where he enchants everyone with his music, until he is unjustly accused of stealing a precious violin. Forced to flee, he travels through deserts, forests, and distant temples, experiencing adventures filled with wonder and danger. Through every ordeal, music remains his guide and companion, a symbol of freedom, innocence, and the profound connection between man and nature. Finally, he finds peace in an oasis, celebrating life with a new melody.
No. 3 in D Major, No. 4 in A Minor
Henryk Wieniawski’s Études-Caprices, Op. 18, stands as a unique and indispensable pillar of the advanced violin repertoire. Composed in 1862 during his tenure at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, this collection of eight pieces transcends the typical solo technical study. Wieniawski’s genius was to conceive them for two violins, creating a dynamic where the first violin part is a brilliant and demanding solo étude, while the second violin part, intended for the teacher, provides a complete and engaging harmonic accompaniment. This ingenious format transforms what could be a dry exercise into a vibrant musical dialogue.
Johan Halvorsen (1864 – 1935) was a Norwegian composer, conductor and violinist. Passacaglia in G minor is based on a Theme by George Frideric Handel (from Harpsichord Suite in G minor, HWV 432) for violin and viola or cello (1897).
Raffaele Pagano - Violin
Raffaele Pagano is an Italian violinist and composer. After being awarded as first prize in more than 20 competitions in Italy and playing in the theatre San Carlo Di Napoli and as concertmaster in several orchestras of his native city Naples, he moved to London to study with the legendary professor of Royal Academy of Music Hu Kun (the longest pupil of Lord Yehudi Menuhin). In London he became the leader of London Arte Chamber Orchestra and in 2020 started to compose music receiving his first prize in the 2nd edition of the international composition competition “Premio Metastasio” of Scalea (Italy). His music is predominantly bound to the emotions and real feelings that Raffaele put on his violin first with improvisations and then with compositions. He plays regularly with Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra and he is the concertmaster of London Concert Sinfonia with whom he made recently a premiere with his composition “Freedom” for solo violin and orchestra. Raffaele plays on a priceless violin made especially for him from the father of his
first violin teacher 26 years ago and a precious bow from Cremona which he won in the international violin competition “Luigi Denza” 15 years ago.
Reggie Clews - Violin
London-based violinist Reggie Clews performs regularly as a soloist, chamber, orchestral and session musician. After 10 years as co-leader of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, Reggie relocated to London in 2022 and sits as 1st violinist for such notable ensembles as The National Symphony Orchestra UK, Oxford Symphony, Regent Opera, and The Marcel Sinfonia. Reggie is 1st violinist of the London String Quartet and has a deep love for chamber music. He performs on a special instrument made George Klotz in 1750 which has been his main instrument since 1999! Reggie is a graduate of McGill University in Montreal, Canada and studied under distinguished pedagogues Mauricio Fuks (now head of strings at Indiana University), and Richard Roberts, Concertmaster of the Orchestre Symphonie de Montreal.
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