Julius Benedict studied with Hummel and Weber, beginning as a virtuoso pianist and then becoming a conductor and operatic composer. In 1835 he moved to England where he spent the next 50 years as a much-admired composer, teacher and writer. His most famous work is the opera The Lily of Killarney but the music for his own instrument displays a precocious talent. This is most evident in the Piano Sonata no.1 in E major, where novelty and beguiling modulations co-exist with the influence of his teachers. The smaller pieces exhibit his taste, finesse and maturity, while the Andante and Rondo brillante is a glittering showpiece.

Pianist Nicolò Giuliano Tuccia has launched numerous artistic projects, including the renowned Guido Agosti season, which has drawn significant public and critical acclaim: ‘A rough diamond appeared at the Steinway Hall last night for the Keyboard Trust and astonished and seduced us with playing of innocent passion and musicianship of such uncontaminated mastery’, wrote keyboardtrust.org. He is also considered by [the great Lisztian] Leslie Howard as one of the most sensitive and interesting musicians of his generation.

Nicolò Giuliano Tuccia is an accomplished pianist, educator and cultural organiser. As president of Forlì Cultura, he has launched numerous artistic projects, including the renowned Guido Agosti season, which has drawn significant public and critical acclaim. He enjoys an extensive performance career, and has appeared on prestigious stages across Europe, including the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Berlin, Casa Menotti in Spoleto and Schloss Bensberg in Cologne, collaborating with leading orchestras and conductors. Tuccia’s repertoire spans from Baroque to contemporary works, with highlights such as Ravel’s Valses nobles et sentimentales, Schumann’s Kreisleriana and Prokofiev’s Third Sonata.