Music Chamber

Sergei Prokoviev (1891 – 1953) Sonata for 2 Violins in C Op 56

Andante cantabile ~ Allegro ~ Commodo (quasi Allegretto) ~ Allegro con brio

 

Franz Liszt (1811-1886) Mephisto Waltz No. 1

Années de pèlerinage excerpts

 

L van Beethoven (1770-1827) String Trio in G Op 9/1

Adagio - Allegro con brio ~ Adagio, ma non tanto, e cantabile ~ Scherzo. Allegro ~ Presto

 

Whilst in exile in Paris from his Russian homeland Prokofiev composed his uncompromising four movement Sonata for 2 violins, Op. 56 in 1932. It was intended for the inaugural recital of Triton - a Parisian music society group who supported new chamber music in the city. Ironically the actual premiere took place in Moscow a few years later. The opening movement, an Andante has a mysterious, almost eerie highly controlled sound-world. With spiky and headstrong rhythms, the Allegro is played with an earnest enthusiasm that contrasts with the Andante which has a cool tranquillity and just a suggestion of anxiety. The finale movement - a Presto - has folksy rhythms that Prokofiev develops into a more serious and complex character.

 

Among the nobles who served as Beethoven’s patrons after his arrival in Vienna in 1792 was Count Johann Georg von Browne-Camus. He is said to have squandered his fortune, and ended his days in a public institution. But in the mid-1790s, Beethoven received such generous support from Browne that he dedicated several works to him and his wife, including the three string trios of op. 9. In response, Browne presented Beethoven with a horse, which the preoccupied composer promptly forgot, thereby allowing his servant to rent out the beast and pocket the profits! Dr. Richard E. Rodda writes this ‘Trio opens with a sonorous unison statement of the tonic arpeggio in slow tempo which is immediately balanced by a soft, feathery, sixteenth-note motive in the violin answered by tiny replies from the viola and cello. […] The main theme comprises four small but distinct gestures: a quiet lyrical phrase; a quick upward-shooting scale; a rising arpeggio; and bold leaping chords. The Adagio is an extended and delicately elaborated song for which the designation “Romanze”  might have been more appropriate. The music’s lyricism suggests the influence of opera, a quality which its intensity of expression, often enhanced by a tender, pulsing accompaniment, only strengthens. The following Scherzo is lighter in mood and more deft in scoring than many of Beethoven’s later movements in that form. The sonata-form finale contrasts a heady moto perpetuo main theme with an arching complementary melody in more sedate rhythms. […] The work ends with a fiery coda that exploits the technical resources of the three instruments.’

 

The Gagliano Ensemble is a multinational group founded by four young, London-based soloists and chamber musicians. The group has played extensively throughout the UK and abroad as Duo, String Trio, Piano Trio and Piano Quartet performing works by Bach, Bartok, Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, Mozart, Schubert and Schumann. The ensemble keeps a busy performance schedule and has forthcoming performances in London, Aylesbury, Northampton and a tour in Kazakhstan. Galya, a gifted violinist of Kazakh origin, has recently appeared as a soloist with orchestras in both Europe and Asia, performing concertos by Brahms, Mendelssohn, Bernstein and Bruch. She appears as both soloist and Concertmaster on disk2disk, EMI, Sony BMG, and Toccata Classics labels. She plays on an Antonio Gagliano violin and gratefully acknowledges its loan from Norman Rosenberg. Polish born Agata has performed with all the major Lithuanian Orchestras and as a soloist and chamber musician across Europe including the Chamberfest in Manchester, 'Mostly Mozart Festival' in Istanbul and the 'Lamp of Lothian Festival' in Scotland. Agata performed the Beethoven Triple concerto with the Royal Tunbridge Wells orchestra and recently performed solo at the Queen Elizabeth Hall as part of the LPO’s Alfred Schnittke festival. Robert performs regularly as a soloist and chamber musician. Recent highlights include a critically acclaimed performance of Colin Matthew’s Four Moods at the BBC Proms, John Woolrich’s Ulysses Awakes at the Roundhouse and a performance of Morton Feldman’s The Viola In My Life II at The Old Vic Tunnels. Recent projects for Colin have included Brahms' Double Concerto at St James Piccadilly, Principal 'Cello in the London Telefilmonic Orchestra, performances with the London Contemporary Orchestra. Born in Moscow Petr’s notable appearances included the Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory, Southbank Centre, Salle Cortot, Royal Opera House, and a recital in Duke's Hall in presence of HRH Prince Charles, broadcasts for BBC Radio 3 and France Musique.