Philharmonic Orchestra Mozart - 'In French Spheres'

The Mozart Orchestra is Amsterdam's oldest amateur symphony orchestra (1878) - conductor is Ivo Meinen. The programme includes beautiful works by French composers Rameau, Saint-Saëns and Gounod. Featuring the young talent Nika Toškan solo on violin.

Programme notes

An afternoon of French splendour! The concert opens with a festive suite by Jean-Philippe Rameau, in a colourful orchestral arrangement by François Motte. Next, young violinist Nika Toškan shines in Saint-Saëns' energetic First Violin Concerto: a youthful work full of bravura, lyricism and virtuosity. Finally, Gounod's Symphony in D is heard. A vibrant finale, in which the orchestra can give free rein to its expressiveness and joy of playing.

Programme

• Jean Phillipe Rameau - Ballet Suite (arr. F. Motte)
• Saint Saens - Violin concerto no 1 in A major. Opus 20 (soloist: Nika Toskan)
• Charles Gounod - Symphony in D dur

Concert with intermission.

Mozart Philharmonic Orchestra

The Mozart Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1878, is Amsterdam's oldest symphony orchestra. Its members are advanced amateurs, former conservatory students and professional musicians. The orchestra likes to offer young talent the chance to perform as soloists and also gives performances with a social focus, such as concerts in care institutions. Until 1994, the orchestra bore the name 'Philharmonische Kapel Mozart'. Since 2020, the Mozart Orchestra has been led by chief conductor Ivo Meinen.

Nika Toškan

Slovenian violinist Nika Toškan (b. 1997) started playing the violin at the age of three. In 2023, she graduated from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam with a 10 as final mark. She won several (inter)national prizes, including first prize at the Durlet Violin Competition in Belgium. Nika regularly solos with the Slovenian Philharmonic String Chamber Orchestra and is a welcome guest at festivals. She is a regular within The String Soloists and recently also played with the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra.

Nika plays a violin on loan from the National Music Instruments Fund.