The idea of a piccolo concerto might have seemed far-fetched at the beginning of the 20th century, but numerous composers have now expanded its role as the highest instrument of the orchestra into a true solo voice. With this recording Francesco Viola has brought together four unknown works by Eastern European composers – the Romanian Andreas Baksa; Slovenian composer Uroš Krek; German-Croatian composer Boris Papandopulo; and Hungarian composer Frigyes Hidas whose Oboe Concerto is recorded here in Francesco Viola’s transcription for piccolo. All of these concertos are filled with atmosphere, passion and high spirits.

Francesco Viola is piccolo soloist of the Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim and the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Florence. He has collaborated with many of Europe’s leading orchestras and worked with numerous internationally acclaimed conductors. As a piccolo specialist he is regularly invited to conservatories, music universities and international flute festivals to give masterclasses and recitals. In 2015 he was first prize winner at the ‘Severino Gazzelloni’ Competition for the Piccolo category.