Nils Mönkemeyer & William Youn

Jokes about 'stupid violists' are a thing of the past. Since Tabea Zimmermann emancipated the viola, a great many other great violists have followed with flourishing solo careers. The impassioned Nils Mönkemeyer is one of them. He first came to our notice as a violist in the Julia Fischer Quartet. The chemistry between the musicians made sparks fly and the viola solos pierced straight to the heart. So we are curious to hear Mönkemeyer in full flow in his own recital. And to hear how flexibly and transparently William Youn shapes the piano part so as to create a homogeneous combined sound. Mönkemeyer describes Brahms' sonatas as 'a message of inner hope, an unconditional endorsement of life, love and beauty'. Nothing could spoil such an evening.