Two nights, the world's virtuosos and timeless masterpieces

Two evenings, world-class virtuosos, and timelessly masterful performances will mark the culmination of July’s programme at the 74th Ljubljana Festival, taking place in the Union Hall on July 27 and 28. The two concerts will feature leading Slovenian chamber musicians alongside internationally renowned soloists Vadim Repin and Peter Laul, followed by an audience captivated by one of Hungary’s most celebrated chamber orchestras under the baton of István Várda. The programmes, spanning from classicalism to the early 20th century, reveal the richness of musical forms, depth of interpretation, and virtuosity of the greatest composers. The first concert on Monday, July 27, at 8 PM will feature Ensemble Dissonance, which brings together Slovenian musicians performing in different ensembles. Joining them will be violinist Vadim Repin and pianist Peter Laul. Repin has established himself as a young talent with successes at some of the most prestigious violin competitions. Today, he continues his concert career while also directing the Transsibirski Festival of Arts. Laul, known as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator, has drawn international attention through his performance of the entire cycle of Ludwig van Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas, considered one of the most demanding feats in piano literature. The programme will trace the evolution of chamber music from late 19th into early 20th century. On offer will be Variations on a Theme by Tchaikovsky by Anton Arensky, a work noted for its melodic expressiveness. The evening will also include the virtuosic composition Cigan for violin, harp, and percussion by Maurice Ravel, and conclude with Ernest Chausson’s Concert for Violin, Piano, and Harp. On Tuesday, July 28, at 8 PM, the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra will perform under the direction of conductor and viola player István Várda. As a guest soloist, violinist Kirill Troussov will join the ensemble. A regular performer with leading orchestras worldwide and a teacher at masterclasses around the globe, Troussov brings both technical mastery and artistic insight. Founded in 1963 by former students of the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest, the orchestra is regarded as one of Hungary’s most distinguished ensembles. Since taking over artistic leadership in 2020, Várda has successfully integrated conducting, soloist, and pedagogical roles. The concert will open with the overture from Mozart’s opera The Marriage of Figaro, one of the most recognizable orchestral introductions of the classical era. This will be followed by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy’s Violin Concerto in E minor, a staple of the global concert repertoire. The second half of the evening will present variations on a rococo theme by Tchaikovsky, paying homage to Mozart’s musical ideals. The concert will close with orchestral works by Franz Liszt and Johannes Brahms, blending Hungarian dance rhythms with a vibrant stylistic approach. The 74th Ljubljana Festival promises a rich programme, ranging from top-tier concerts to intimate recitals in the heart of the capital. Tickets are available at ljubljanafestival.si. Members of the Ljubljana Festival Club enjoy a 10% discount (excluding selected co-productions: Momento Cigano Extended, Mamma mia! and the concert by Vlada Kreslin). Membership can be obtained here.