Program I: Solo Recital

Program II: Bach and Handel

with
Ralf Waldner, Cembalo
Sebastian Hess, Barockcello

Program III: Il Ritratto dell`amore
18th century French Baroque Music

Program IV: Vivi Felice
16th-18th century Music from Italy and Spain

Ralf Waldner

Ralf Waldner studied the harpsichord between 1997-98 with Prof. Christine Schornsheim at the University of Music Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy in Leipzig and 1998-2002 with Oscar Milani at at the University of Music Nuremberg-Augsburg. During this time, he was receiving numerous awards in national and international competitions.
In his international concert activity, he frequently works with ensembles like Ars Preciosa (Zurich), Collegium Musicum Schloß Pommersfelden, Ensemble Kontraste (Nuremberg), Frankfurt Opera Orchestra .and others and has made numerous CD and broadcasting recordings. His interest in contemporary music for harpsichord led to premieres of compositions which have been especially written for him, for example the harpsichord concerto of Matthias Hoffmann (2002).
Since 2000, Ralf Waldner is teaching harpsichord and chamber music for instrumentalists and singers at the University of Music Nuremberg.

Sebastian Hess

Born in Munich in 1971, the cellist Sebastian Hess studied at the music academies in Würzburg and Munich with Julius Berger and Helmar Stiehler, before studying musicology at Munich University. From 1990 to 1994 he was among the pupils of William Pleeth in London and in 1997 was one of the few pupils of Mstislav Rostropovich. His musical career has ranged from historical performances on the baroque cello to the major elements of the classical and romantic repertoire, and collaboration with contemporary composers and leading colleagues. He has appeared as a soloist and recitalist in festivals and other engagements throughout Europe and in the Far East.