Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Trio No. 13 in D major, Op. 36

Ludwig van Beethoven Septet in E-flat major, Op. 20

The opening concert of the winter edition of Allegra Festival 2027 invites audiences on an uplifting, life-affirming musical journey to the heart of Viennese Classicism. The first evening sets two of Beethoven’s most radiant works in captivating dialogue: his masterful arrangement of the Second Symphony for piano trio (Op. 36) and the iconic Septet in E-flat major (Op. 20). Together, they trace a path from virtuosic chamber-symphonic conversation to the festive sonority of a richly varied ensemble.

This is a concert for anyone seeking pure inspiration, inner renewal and an escape from the grey of everyday life. The Trio carries a profound, cathartic force. Composed during the darkest period of Beethoven’s life, as he confronted his advancing deafness and wrote the Heiligenstadt Testament (1802), the work paradoxically radiates sunlit energy, joy and optimism. Personal tragedy is thus transformed into a triumph of the spirit, offering listeners not merely aesthetic pleasure but testimony to the unyielding strength of the human will.

The graceful transition to the Septet, Op. 20, the work that brought Beethoven unprecedented success and became his most beloved composition in Vienna as early as 1800, fills the hall with elegance, artistic ease and the spirit of the Viennese salons. Its distinctive scoring, uniting strings and winds, set a new standard in chamber music and inspired generations of composers. Its interplay of exquisite melodies, playful exchanges and festive spirit evokes a sense of harmony, shared joy and that timeless Viennese magic which lingers long after the final chords have faded.

The stellar line-up

The true magic of the opening concert lies in bringing together a constellation of world-class virtuosos on a single stage. It is a major event for Bulgarian audiences to hear South Korean pianist Yeol Eum Son live. Fresh from her sold-out BBC Proms 2026 concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall, one of the most sought-after pianists of our time comes to Sofia. Renowned for her poetic elegance, crystal tone and phenomenal technique, she brings Viennese Classicism into a new dimension.

Alongside her is audience favourite Svetlin Roussev, a violinist of fiery temperament, charisma and international acclaim whose playing turns every concert into a celebration. His meeting with Yeol Eum Son and Péter Somodari, Principal Cellist of the Vienna Philharmonic, three artists united by stylistic precision and an authentic Viennese sound, promises to breathe new life into Beethoven’s Trio.

In the second half of the evening, they are joined by five further exceptional musicians: violist Lech Antonio Uszynski, the festival’s founder - double bassist Petar Naydenov, and leading wind players Borislav Yotsov (clarinet), Gábor Mészáros (bassoon) and Jörg Brückner (horn).

For Sofia’s audiences, it is a privilege to witness ensemble artistry and stage chemistry on such a scale.