VIAF 2014

Austrian Ambassador’s Concert this evening …

A high-profile performance this evening will be given by two Viennese professionals, Johannes Fleischmann (violin) and Philippe Raskin (pianoforte). Under the distinguished patronage of the Embassy of Austria in Malta, Raskin&Fleischmann Duo will be performing works by Austrian composers, represented by the greatest of them all, namely, W.A. Mozart, and Christophe Ehrenfellner, whose wonderful work Hunt Sonata op. 25 (from Chamber Music Theatre ‘Salon Sélavie) recounts a charming narrative of Emperor Wilhelm II’s hunting trip in Eastern Germany.

Raskin&Fleischmann Duo was formed when Johannes Fleischmann and Philippe Raskin met at the prestigious Pablo Casals Festival in Prades in 2009. A year later they gave their first duo performance in Vienna. Since then they have performed extensively all over Europe, Africa and South America. The Duo has participated in numerous Festivals and is supported by world-class musicians, namely, Hatto Beyerle (Alban Berg Quartet), Johannes Meissl (Artis Quartet), Evgenia Ephstein (Aviv Quartet), amongst others. They released their first CD three years ago, consisting of works by Beethoven, Brahms and Franck, which received glowing reviews by the critics. The Duo was hailed as “a magnificent duo […] the first offering his round, gleaming and orchestral playing to the lyricism of the second” (MDM, La Libre Belgique, 2013). Johannes and Philippe are champions of contemporary music, leading them to premiere works which are specifically written for them. In this regard, they work closely with composers Serkan Gürkan and Christoph Ehrenfellner. This current season has seen them perform a concert tour in Columbia and recitals at the legendary Musikverein, Vienna, apart from a recording of a new CD of works by Mozart, Korngold and Ehrenfellner. In addition, the Duo has also been selected as Ambassadors for NASOM (New Austrian Sound of Music) programme for the 2014-2015 season by the Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs.