Eike has won several competitions, most notably the silver medal at the National Youth Music Competition in 2021,  and is establishing himself in several ensembles in Munich in particular. He is looking forward to performing this concerto which he says is full of confident monologues, intense rhythmical passages, sweet melodies and fast virtuosity. “The viola has to take on the role of a storyteller or wandering bard, who brings stories from far away: cheerful and serious songs, on which he fantasises. It is a special concerto, with unique challenges. The orchestra creates a dark and earthy sound, built from low strings woodwinds and brass.  Demanding much power and endurance for the soloist, it was a groundbreaking composition for the viola‘s journey from a traditional chamber music and orchestra role to becoming a solo instrument.”

Leon Bosch, one of the world’s foremost double bass players, is one of the few double bass players to direct concertos from the instrument.  In this case, he has moved to the podium as he establishes a career as a conductor. He studied in London with Sian Edwards and St Petersburg with Alexander Polishchuk and has conducted groups in the UK and around the world, including I Musicanti, Liverpool Mozart Orchestra, Wrexham Symphony Orchestra, Icknield Ensemble, Bombay Chamber Orchestra and the University of Stellenbosch Camerata.