Frank Peter Zimmermann revisits the Basque National Orchestra

"Playing with the Basque orchestra is almost like being with my own family". Those were the opening words by violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann in his contribution to "Primo Tempo", the book published in 2006 about the 25-year history of the Basque National Orchestra. Now, in a season called "Re-Encounters", the German violinist once again shares the stage with the Orchestra. Under the baton of Carlo Rizzi, who revisits the 14/15 Concert Season, he will perform the Violin Concerto by J. Sibelius. This new Season Concert will open on Monday, 26 January, in Pamplona's Baluarte Auditorim, continue on the 27th and 29th at Kursaal in San Sebastián and wrap up on the 30th at the Teatro Principal in Vitoria,

For his fifth collaboration with the BNO - Sibelius's Violin Concerto. After debuting as guest soloist for the 2002 BNO Concert Season, Frank Peter Zimmermann (Duisburg, 1965) joined the Orchestra again in 2004, 2006 and 2010. Conducted by Gilbert Varga, Cristian Mandeal and Lawrence Rennes, he has performed works by Bartok, Mendelssohn, Brahms and Dvorak. On this occasion he will accompany the BNO in a performance of Violin Concerto by Jean Sibelius (1865-1957), which he has played in Hannover, Bremen and Cologne and will soon perform in Taipei, Seoul and Tokyo.

With a long and successful career under his belt, Frank Peter Zimmermann is arguably one of the greatest living violinists. It has been said that "He has won everything, recorded everything, and performed with everyone". Zimmermann plays a Stradivarius known as the Lady Inchiquin, from 1711, which once belonged to Fritz Kreisler, provided by Portigon AG.

The concert programme, titled "The Voice of Sibelius", will also include a performance of Symphony No. 5 by the Finish composer. The musician's search for new paths for the symphonic discourse should bear its finest fruits in this symphony.