Presto Presents... Liya Petrova

In this latest episode of Presto Presents, violinist Liya Petrova and pianist Hamish Brown perform a selection of pieces inspired by Liya's latest album, Momentum 2 (released in March on Mirare). The conclusion of a diptych of albums, each combining an early twentieth-century violin concerto with a sonata, it pairs Korngold's sparkling and justly famous concerto with a younger work from Richard Strauss - poised to bid farewell to chamber music and dive into the rich, sweeping orchestral tone-poems that would cement his fame.

Liya and Hamish performed a selection of works taking their inspiration from this album - two evergreen favourites by Elgar and Massenet, a less-heard caprice by a rival of Paganini with a unique connection to Liya's own violin, and rounding proceedings off with Debussy's violin sonata, capturing that unique fin-de-siècle feel. 

Liya lifted the lid on some of the background to this album - the fascinating instrument she plays (with its connection to the caprice included in the recital), her sense of 'introducing' it to music it's missed during long periods out of action and nurturing its unique personality, and where the 'Momentum' of these albums is taking her next.