The Veles Ensemble at the London Strings Festival

26 September 2018, 7.30pm
Saint Margaret Pattens Church
Eastcheap
London EC3M 1HS  
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The Veles Ensemble was founded in 2016 by three young successful London classical musicians – soloists, recitalists and performers in leading London chamber orchestras who aim to explore and promote rarely heard masterpieces and new compositions as well as bringing the classics to life. They will open this evening of contrast with a true classic: Beethoven's String Trio Op. 9 No. 1 in G-major. The trios Op.9 - published in 1798 - are often considered to be one of Beethoven's most important early works. The G-major's powerful and even symphonic qualities, wide melodic lines, contrasts and the breathtaking vigour of the finale leave no doubt about its historic significance.

Ahmed Mukhtar’s music is rooted in the traditional Maqam style and explores the use of the quarter tone in the Arabic Oud. The Maqam is the nearest equivalent to mode in Western classical. Ahmed Mukhtar will offer some of his compositions arranged for Strings by Ignacio Lusardi Monteverde. This will be played by the Veles Ensemble.

The unfretted Oud with its delicately flattened intervals can make a dream, gallop, or thunder, as well as the desert with the use of silence to a great effect. As Iraqi Middle Eastern Mukhtar’s music lies on improvisation and Taqasim in a great deal of works and forms.

This evening will start with the Veles Ensemble playing Beethoven and Kodaly. They are expressive players achieving delicate lines with a full sound.

The foundation of the Veles Ensemble is a string trio: Evva Mizerska – cello, Ralitsa Naydenova – viola and Hartmut Richter – violin.

Ahmed Mukhtar will continue the evening presenting Iraqi music with Oud solo's. He will then be joined be Veles Ensemble to finish with arrangements by Ignacio Lusardi Monteverde of his own compositions.

Ahmed Mukhtar’s music is rooted in the traditional Maqam style and explores the use of the quarter tone in the Arabic Oud. The Maqam is the nearest equivalent to mode in Western classical. Ahmed Mukhtar will offer some of his compositions arranged for Strings by Ignacio Lusardi Monteverde. The unfretted Oud with its delicately flattened intervals can make a dream, gallop, or thunder, as well as dessert with the use of silence to a great effect. As Iraqi Middle Eastern Mukhtar’s music lies on improvisation and Taqasim in a great deal of works and forms.