Music Chamber

Ani Batikian (violin) Sinae Lee (piano) perform:

 

Johannes Brahms (1833 – 1897) Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 in A major, Op 100

Allegro Amabile ~ Andante Tranquilo ~ Allegretto Grazioso

 

Brahms spent the summer of 1886 at his favorite retreat at Lake Thun, near Interlaken in Switzerland. By 1886, Brahms had produced masterworks in every musical genre except for opera. However, his successes had been tempered by the loss of a number of supporters and friends, most prominently Robert Schumann, who died in a mental asylum in 1856, as well as by unrequited romantic liaisons, notably with Schumann's widow, Clara. The A Major Sonata is probably the most lyrical of Brahms's three sonatas for violin and piano. The reigning characteristics of the second violin sonata reflect Brahms's personality - his shyness and introspection, his originality and his intensity, sometimes all at once. The work transports the listener into the private world of its creator. The sonata begins with a direct and immediate theme, first presented by the piano and then taken up by the violin. Serving as an antecedent to the dramaturgical line that is to unfold in the rest of the piece, the melody is sweet in its simplicity and powerful in spite of its lack of bombast. Whereas in the first movement one theme flows directly into the next, and the conversational interchange between the two instruments is intriguing, the second movement can be separated into two alternating sections. Beginning with the bucolic Andante, the folk-like Vivace enjoys a slight hint of humor. The movement ends in a short, light blaze of excitement. The finale, Allegretto grazioso, is unusual in that it is devoid of the usual bravura excitement in Romantic-period works. The graceful and elegant rondo begins with a soulful line expressed in sustained legato. Mid-movement, there is a rather sudden passionate outburst and emotional upheaval. However, the poignantly calm theme of the opening returns to end the work in an expression of triumphant dignity.(Midori Music Notes)

 

Edvard Grieg (1843 – 1907) Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 3 in C minor, Op 45

Allegro Molto Appassionato ~ Allegretto Graziozo, alla Romanza ~ Allegro Animato

 

Composition on Grieg's third and final violin sonata began in the autumn of 1886. Whereas the first two sonatas were written in a matter of weeks, this sonata took him several months to complete. The sonata remains the most popular of the three works, and has established itself in the standard repertoire. The work was also a personal favourite of Grieg's. The sonata premiered with Grieg himself at the piano with well-known violinist Adolf Brodsky in Leipzig. To a certain extent, Grieg built on Norwegian folk melodies and rhythms in this three-movement sonata. However, for Grieg the second sonata was the "Norwegian" sonata whereas he considered the third "the one with the broader horizon".

 

Edward Elgar (1857 – 1934) Romance for Violin and Piano Op. 1

Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840 – 1893) Melody for Violin and Piano Op. 46

 

 

Ani has performed in St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London, Usher Hall in Edinburgh, Glenn Gould Studios in Toronto and has performed concertos with many orchestras in Sweden, Armenia, UK, and Canada. In 2003 She received full scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music. When she applied to pursue a Masters at the RSAMD, she was awarded an International Full Scholarship where she won many prizes. As a recipient of the Dewar Award, Ani performed in the Fifth Anniversary Concert held in the Scottish Parliament. Currently Ani is supervised by legendary violinist Salvatore Accardo in Cremona. She also teaches at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

 

Born in Korea, Sinae studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a full scholarship awarded by the Inches Carr Trust. Since her UK début with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO), playing Brahms Piano Concerto No.1, she has also performed with the Korean Symphony Orchestra and Glasgow Orchestral Society. She has given numerous concerts in London, New York, St. Petersburg well as in her native cities. In 2006, Sinae recorded Karol Szymanowski’s complete piano works on 4 CDs to acclaimed reviews. Between June and July 2011, she performed the entire series of the Années de pèlerinage by Liszt in Glasgow and Korea, the studio recording of which will be released in March 2012.