The Malta International Arts Festival (MIAF) presents the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) with an exciting programme curated to the theme Between Heaven and Hell. This music journey starts with Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Britten by the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. This composition for string orchestra and bell is an early example of Pärt's tintinnabuli style which is based on early chant music. The simple, almost spiritual canon of Pärt’s texture is contrasted by the complex and jagged rhythms of Ruben Zahra’s violin concerto composed for virtuoso Austrian soloist Daniel Auner. In the second half of the concert Auner once again takes the stage with Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso by Camille Saint-Saens. In the slow Introduction, the violin sings a plaintive melody while in the Rondo Capriccioso, lyricism and virtuosity combine in a most effective manner. The diabolic content of the programme is truly unleashed in the final two works: Mephisto Waltz No. 1 by Franz Liszt and the all-time favourite Night on Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorgsky.

Programme

Arvo Pärt Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten (1977)

Ruben Zahra Land of the Dead (2025)

intermission

Camille Saint-Saens Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso (1863)

Franz Liszt Mephisto Waltz No. 1 (1859 - 1862)

Modest Mussorgsky Night on Bald Mountain (1867)

Orchestrated by Rimsky-Korsakov in1886

Credits

violin: Daniel Auner

conductor: Michael Laus

Programme Notes

Arvo Pärt - Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Britten (1977)

Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt's is a poignant elegy by composed in response to the death of British composer Benjamin Britten on December 4, 1976. This work is an early example of Pärt's distinctive tintinnabuli style, characterised by simplicity and spiritual depth. Scored for string orchestra and bell, the piece features a descending A minor scale pattern repeated in canon form, creating a haunting and meditative atmosphere. The bell tolls punctuate the music, symbolising both mourning and remembrance. Beginning and ending with silence, the work reflects Pärt's contemplation on the relationship between life, death and music.

Ruben Zahra - Land of the Dead (2025)

Land of the Dead is a concertante work for violin and orchestra in seven interconnected episodes presenting a continuous and uninterrupted music journey. Throughout the composition, the soloist and orchestra are locked in tense musical dialogue. The orchestra yields to the role of the soloist but bucks and strikes back with chaotic rhythmic bolts. The soloist struggles to dislodge itself from the rest of the instruments as the orchestra keeps pulling it back. In the first and third sections the soloist unleashes unruly solo passages featuring fast melodic contours, rhythmic shards, shrieks and shrills. The 6th section is an accompanied cadenza showcasing the soloist’s virtuosity leading to a contrasting soft and contemplative final coda section.

Camille Saint-Saens - Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso (1863)

Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso is a virtuosic concert piece for violin and orchestra, dedicated to the renowned violinist Pablo de Sarasate. The work begins with a melancholic introduction, featuring the solo violinist's virtuosic arpeggios and chromatic passages. The mood shifts to Allegro ma non troppo as the rondo theme unfolds, showcasing a distinct Spanish flair with syncopated rhythms and brilliant leaps. The piece culminates in a dazzling cadenza, highlighting the violinist's technical prowess. First performed on April 4, 1867, this work has become a staple in the violin repertoire, admired for its technical challenges and captivating musicality. Saint-Saëns' mastery of classical structures, combined with his flair for Romantic expressiveness, makes this piece a timeless delight for audiences worldwide

Franz Liszt - Mephisto Waltz No. 1 (1859 - 1862)

Franz Liszt's Mephisto Waltz No. 1 is a fascinating orchestral work inspired by Nikolaus Lenau's poetic drama Faust. Subtitled "Der Tanz in der Dorfschenke" (The Dance in the Village Inn), the piece vividly depicts a scene where Mephistopheles enchants villagers with his violin playing, leading them into a wild and seductive dance. The music begins with a dramatic introduction, symbolising Mephistopheles tuning his violin, followed by a sensual waltz marked espressivo amoroso. The dance builds to a frenzied climax before subsiding into a serene conclusion, punctuated by the distant song of a nightingale. This work showcases Liszt's mastery of program music, blending virtuosity with a dark, alluring narrative that has captivated audiences for generations

Modest Mussorgsky - Night on Bald Mountain (1867)

Orchestrated by Rimsky-Korsakov in1886

Composed in 1867, Modest Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain is a vivid tone poem depicting a witches' sabbath on St. John's Eve. The work was inspired by Russian folklore and literature but it remained unperformed during Mussorgsky's lifetime due to criticism from his mentor, Mily Balakirev. After Mussorgsky's death, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov reworked and orchestrated the piece in 1886, transforming it into a concert fantasy. Rimsky-Korsakov's version, which premiered in 1886 is the most commonly performed today. It features a dramatic portrayal of the witches' gathering, culminating in a serene conclusion symbolising dawn. This arrangement has become a staple of orchestral repertoire, celebrated for its dark, evocative power and technical brilliance

Biographies

Daniel Auner - violin

Daniel Auner is a Viennese violinist deeply rooted in the musical tradition of his hometown. Internationally acclaimed since his youth, he is a laureate of the Eugène Ysaÿe Competition, winner of the Austrian Classical Music Prize, and a regular guest with leading orchestras and festivals worldwide. As a soloist and as first violinist of the Auner Quartet, his playing combines virtuosic brilliance with stylistic elegance. Auner's profound musical insight shapes both his interpretations and his curated programs. He performs on a 1752 Guadagnini violin from the Austrian National Bank’s collection and is a professor of violin and chamber music in Vienna. His discography includes 13 acclaimed albums, with international broadcasts and reviews. Auner also appears as a conductor and concertmaster in the Viennese tradition of the "Stehgeiger." He is an Austrian cultural ambassador and engages in music education projects around the globe.

Michael Laus - Conductor

Michael Laus is the resident conductor of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO). He was previously the Principal Conductor for twenty-five years and has led the orchestra in numerous symphonic concerts and opera productions. Laus has guest-conducted prestigious orchestras such as the Bournemouth Symphony, Slovak Philharmonic and New Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra. He graduated from the Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi in Milan and participated in masterclasses with George Manahan and Vladimir Delman. Laus has collaborated with renowned soloists like Joseph Calleja and Katia Ricciarelli. He is also Associate Professor in Music Studies at the University of Malta and founder of the Malta Youth Orchestra and Goldberg Ensemble. Laus has recorded works for various labels and appeared on international television channels.

Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, MPO

The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1968 as the Manoel Theatre Orchestra, evolving from the defunct "Commander-in-Chief" orchestra. It became the National Orchestra of Malta in 1997 and expanded into a full-size symphony orchestra as the MPO in 2008. The MPO collaborates with local and international artists, performing over 50 concerts annually, including symphonic concerts and opera productions. It has toured globally, showcasing Maltese composers' works and premiering new compositions. The orchestra also supports the development of young musicians through the MPO Academy and Malta Youth Orchestra. In 2021, its digital program reached over 32 million people worldwide. The MPO is Malta's leading musical ensemble, engaging in community outreach and educational initiatives alongside its performances.

In collaboration with Teatru Manoel