Programme
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Concerto for 3 Violins in F major, RV551
Allegro
Andante
Allegro
Soloists:
Carmine Lauri, Violin
Charlie Siem, Violin
Anna Kosińska, Violin
Antonio Vivaldi
Cello Concerto in A minor, RV 419
Allegro
Andante
Allegro
Soloist:
Maximilian Hornung, Cello
Antonio Vivaldi
Violin Concerto in D major, RV 208 “Grosso Mogul”
Allegro
Grave - Recitativo
Allegro
Soloist:
Charlie Siem, Violin
Antonio Vivaldi
Cello Concerto in A minor, RV 420
Andante
Adagio
Allegro
Soloist:
Maximilian Hornung, Cello
Antonio Vivaldi
Violin Concerto in D major, RV582 “Per la S.S.ma Assunzione di Maria Vergine”
Allegro
Largo
Allegro
Soloist:
Carmine Lauri, Violin
Antonio Vivaldi
Concerto for 4 Violins and Cello in B minor op.3 No.10, RV 580
Allegro
Largo-Larghetto-Adagio-Largo
Allegro
Soloists:
Carmine Lauri, Violin
Charlie Siem, Violin
Anna Kosińska, Violin
Samuel Cutajar, Violin
Performers
De Valette Chamber Orchestra
Music Director: Carmine Lauri
Harpsichord: Francesca Lauri
Soloists
Carmine Lauri, Violin
Charlie Siem, Violin
Anna Kosińska, Violin
Samuel Cutajar, Violin
Maximilian Hornung, Cello
Programme Notes
Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741) stands as one of the most influential figures of the Baroque era, celebrated above all for his mastery of the instrumental concerto. Tonight’s programme presents a rich panorama of his writing for strings, blending virtuosity, invention, and expressive depth.
The concert opens with the Concerto for Three Violins in F major, RV 551, a luminous and spirited work where shifting combinations of soloists weave a lively interplay of colours.
It is followed by Cello Concerto in A minor, RV 419. The concerto presents Vivaldi’s typical three-movement structure: Allegro – Andante – Allegro—balancing virtuosic solo passages with lively orchestral dialogue. The outer movements feature rhythmic drive and energetic exchanges between cello and ensemble, while the central Andante offers a lyrical and introspective contrast.
At the programme’s centre is the Violin Concerto in D major, RV 208, the celebrated “Grosso Mogul.” Demanding in scope and brilliance, it pushes the soloist to extremes with dazzling passagework and improvisatory cadenzas,embodying Vivaldi’s dual reputation as a formidable violinist and bold innovator. T
he Cello Concerto in A minor, RV 420 is one of his most elegant and balanced works for the cello, combining virtuosic flair with lyrical sensitivity. The opening Andante unfolds with a delicate dialogue between the soloist and the orchestra. The Adagio lays bare Vivaldi’s profound gift for melody, granting the cello a lyrical, almost vocal line that floats serenely above a tender accompaniment. The final Allegro returns with spirited momentum, featuring lively sequences and brilliant passagework.
The Concerto in D major, RV 582, written “for the Assumption of the Virgin Mary,” offers a contrasting character. Grand yet lyrical, it reflects both ceremonial splendour and devotional intensity, befitting its sacred dedication.
The evening concludes with one of Vivaldi’s most admired achievements, the Concerto for Four Violins in B minor, Op. 3 No. 10, from L’estro armonico. A tour de force of ensemble writing, it layers solo lines in intricate counterpoint, balancing individual brilliance with collective unity.
Together, these works illuminate Vivaldi’s genius for transforming the concerto into a vibrant dialogue of virtuosity and eloquence.
Biographies
Carmine Lauri, Violin
As a long-time member of the London Symphony Orchestra, Carmine led the orchestra for the past 25 years under distinguished conductors such as Lorin Maazel, Sir Simon Rattle, Sir John Eliott Gardiner, Sir Antonio Pappano and Gianandrea Noseda, just to name a few, and had the privilege to have led the orchestra in concert for both Sir Colin Davis and Bernard Haitink for their last appearance with the orchestra before their sad demise. He also premiered 2 violin concertos accompanied by the LSO both at the Barbican and the Royal Albert Hall and has earned worldwide recognition also having led the orchestra in countless soundtracks for movies including Harry Potter, Star Wars and the latest movie Maestro. He was the soloist in John Williams’s Schindler’s List in a concert with the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the composer himself in a special unique performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Lauri has performed extensively worldwide including performances in the presence of various Heads of State. He has guest lead orchestras including the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the London Philharmonic, the Rotterdam Philharmonic, the Bournemouth Symphony, Manchester Camerata and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra under distinguished conductors such as Lorin Maazel, Bernard Haitink, Sir Colin Davis, Riccardo Chailly, Yuri Temirkanov and Valery Gergiev.
Carmine is one of the unique musical ambassadors of his native country Malta, which, as a result of making a name for his country as a world class violinist and soloist, bestowed upon him the Honour of Member of the Order of Merit (M.O.M). He was elected as both an Associate and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music in London, for his achievements in his career.
Charlie Siem, Violin
Born in London to a Norwegian father and British mother, Siem began to play the violin at the age of three after hearing a broadcast of Yehudi Menuhin playing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. He received a broad and thorough education at Eton College, before completing the intellectually demanding undergraduate degree programme in Music at the University of Cambridge. From 1998 to 2004 he studied the violin with Itzhak Rashkovsky in London at the Royal College of Music, and from 2004 he has been mentored by Shlomo Mintz.
Siem has appeared with many of the world’s finest orchestras and chamber ensembles, including the Bergen Philharmonic, Camerata Salzburg, Czech National Symphony, Israel Philharmonic, London Symphony, Moscow Philharmonic, Oslo Philharmonic, Rotterdam Philharmonic, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He has worked with top conductors such as Charles Dutoit, Edward Gardner, Zubin Mehta, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Sir Roger Norrington, Libor Pešek and Yuri Simonov. International festival appearances to date include Spoleto, St. Moritz, Gstaad, Bergen, Tine@Munch, Festival Internacional de Santa Lucía, and the Windsor Festival. Siem’s regular sonata partner is renowned pianist Itamar Golan.
Highlights of the previous seasons included concerto debuts in Mexico, Munich, and Milan; recitals in Norway with Itamar Golan; a debut with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Maestro Charles Dutoit; and an eight-concert debut recital tour of Australia, culminating with a performance at the Sydney Opera House. Charlie Siem has a varied discography and has made a number of recordings, including with the London Symphony Orchestra (Warner Classics, 2011) and Münchner Rundfunkorchester (Sony Classical, 2014).
Anna Kosińska, Violin
Since her solo debut in New York’s renowned Carnegie Hall, Anna Kosińska has performed regularly in the world’s most prestigious venues, including Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Musikverein, Tokyo Opera, Tonhalle Zürich, Barbican Centre London, Suntory Hall Tokyo, Southbank Centre London, Soul Arts Centre, The Charles Bronfman Auditorium Tel Aviv, Cadogan Hall London, The Great Hall Beijing, Lincoln Centre New York, Warsaw Philharmonic and Rudolfinum Prague.
She is a major prize winner of many international violin competitions, including The International Violin Competition Carnegie Hall, New York, The International Violin Competition in Lugano, Switzerland. She was also awarded multiple scholarships in recognition of her achievements in the field of classical music, including Scholarship of the President of the Republic of Poland, Scholarship at the Music Institute and Society in Warsaw, Ministry of Culture and National Heritage Poland, Music and Art Governmental award of the Bundesrepublik Deutschland. She has performed with orchestras across the globe, sharing music with audiences in Japan, China, South Korea, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Spain and USA. Along the way, she has appeared in prestigious concert halls and international festivals, earning recognition for the depth and artistry of her playing. These experiences reflect her passion for connecting with audiences worldwide and her growing reputation as a violinist of international distinction. Anna Kosińska recorded for Naxos, Sony Classical, Decca, ARD, ZDF, Medici and Polish Television TVP.
Anna Kosińska is Co-Leader of the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra and member of The Berlin Symphony Orchestra.
Samuel Cutajar, Violin
Having just graduated from the Royal Academy of Music, Samuel Cutajar is already establishing himself as an all-rounded, vibrant and characterful violinist. He was under the tuition of Profs. Philippe Honore succeeding from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance where he studied with Profs. Clare Thompson after having studied since the age of 6 under the tutelage of Antoine Frendo, protégé of Aaron Rosand.
Samuel has performed as soloist with orchestras thanks to the European Foundation for Support of Culture, following his success in the "Brillanti Competition". He performed Paganini's Moses Fantasy with the Kyiv Virtuosi in Chieti, Italy and the Tartini Devil's Trill together with the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan. He won the Vera Kantrovich Bach Competition in 2020 after performing Bach's complete 2nd solo Sonata in A minor under the adjudication of Suzie Meszaros.
He also participated in various masterclasses with renowned musicians including Rodney Friend, Luke Hsu, Tasmin Little, Werner Hink, Michael Vaiman, Nicolas Dautricourt, Carmine Lauri, Yuri Zhislin, Ofer Falk, Mauro Tortorelli, and Kati Sebestyén. Since his commencement at the Royal Academy, Samuel has been
awarded a mentorship scheme with the Birmingham Royal Ballet and is now a regular player with this orchestra, a part-time position with Sinfonia Cymru (the UK's leading under 30s professional orchestra) and Glyndebourne Sinfonia.
Samuel has performed in a variety of chamber music formations but his most beloved is the recently formed Baci Quartet, comprising Royal Academy of Music students of Maltese, Dutch, Scottish/French and American descent, coached by the Doric Quartet. Performing as Duo Hafdar together with guitarist Kolja Gibbs, he has
also won a number of competitions.
He was awarded an internship with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra in 2017 and has since become a regular part-timer with the orchestra, touring in Europe in May 2022, performing in prestigious halls such as the Muzikverein, Berliner Philharmoniker and Smetana Hall. He has been a member of the European Union
Youth Orchestra since 2020 and has also led the Royal Academy’s orchestra, working with world class names, including Sir Simon Rattle, Antonio Pappano, Gianandrea Nosseda, Vasily Petrenko, Pekka Kuusisto and many more.
Maximilian Hornung, Cello
Maximilian Hornung, born in Augsburg in 1986, is internationally recognized as a remarkable cellist known for his extraordinary depth of tone, broad colour palette, and natural sophistication. He began studying cello at eight under Eldar Issakadze, Thomas Grossenbacher, and David Geringas. At 23, he became the first principal cellist of the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, a position he held until 2013 before focusing on his solo and chamber music career.
Hornung’s repertoire includes core classical works and lesser-known masterpieces. He is active as a soloist, chamber musician, and conductor, performing with leading orchestras such as the Berliner Philharmoniker, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, London Philharmonic, and Orchestre National de France. He collaborates with renowned conductors including Daniel Harding, Yannick Nézét-Séguin, and Esa-Pekka Salonen, and chamber partners like Anne-Sophie Mutter, Daniil Trifonov, and Joshua Bell.
His extensive discography has earned him prestigious accolades, including the ECHO Klassik Prize for his debut album and his recording of Dvořák’s Cello Concerto with the Bamberger Symphoniker. Other notable recordings feature works by Richard Strauss, Haydn, Schubert, and Shostakovich. Hornung has also released albums on Sony Classical, Deutsche Grammophon, and Myrios Classics.
In the 2025/26 season, Hornung debuts with the Berliner Philharmoniker, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and others, while serving as Artist-in-Residence at the Staatstheater Nürnberg. Since 2022, he has been Artistic Director of the Traunsteiner Sommerkonzerte. His career reflects exceptional musicality and a profound connection with audiences worldwide. Hornung has been supported and sponsored by the Borletti-Buitoni Trust in London and his mentor Anne-Sophie Mutter.
De Valette Chamber Orchestra
The De Valette Chamber Orchestra stands as a refined embodiment of Malta’s cultural identity on the international classical music stage. It is guided by the visionary leadership of its own Music Director and Concertmaster, worldwide renowned Carmine Lauri, acclaimed Concertmaster and Principal Emeritus of the London Symphony Orchestra. Lauri’s leadership amplifies the orchestra’s ambition to foster meaningful artistic partnerships with world-class performers.
The De Valette Chamber Orchestra brings together musicians from some of the world’s most prestigious orchestras―including the London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre National de France, Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra, The Orchestre National de Lyon, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, Kremerata Baltica or the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra Amsterdam.
Further elevating the orchestra’s artistic profile is the appointment of German cellist Maximilian Hornung as Artist-in-Residence. Maximilian Hornung is recognized as one of the preeminent cellists of his generation.
DVCO united by a shared dedication to artistic excellence. DVCO musicians from diverse countries come together on one stage to showcase the Maltese rich heritage, placing it firmly as a distinguished Ambassador of Culture on the international platform.