From Norwegian National Romanticism to the Rain Sonata
What You'll Experience:
Tonight's concert is a delightful entry into the brighter season, featuring works by Grieg, Debussy, and Brahms.
Edvard Grieg's Sonata for Violin and Piano in G Major, Op. 13, is one of his early works and a significant contribution to the Norwegian chamber music repertoire. Composed in 1865–1867, this sonata reflects Grieg's youthful vitality and his love for Norwegian folk music.
The work consists of three movements:
Lento doloroso - Allegro vivace: The first movement opens with a heartfelt and melancholic introduction in the violin, gradually building up to a lively and energetic Allegro vivace. The themes are characterized by Norwegian melodies and rhythms.
Allegretto tranquillo: The second movement is a calm and intimate intermezzo, with a delicate and lyrical melody flowing between violin and piano. The mood is tender and reflective, providing a contrast to the energy of the first movement.
Allegro animato: The third movement brings back the liveliness and enthusiasm from the opening movement. The themes are lively and danceable, with virtuosic passages for both instruments.
Claude Debussy's Sonata for Violin and Piano in G Minor, L. 140, is a remarkable work that marks a transition in Debussy's musical style from impressionism to his later, more experimental and modern approaches.
The Sonata for Violin and Piano was the third and final composition in a cycle meant to consist of six sonatas for different instruments, imbued with an atmosphere of melancholy. The work is presented in a form closer to a fantasy than a sonata. The three expressive movements (Allegro vivo, Intermede, and Finale) are written in a French nationalist spirit with distinct influences from Spanish and Gypsy music throughout. This ambiguity and ambivalence in form, sound, and character all contribute to Debussy's innovative language of 'musical impressionism', which has become a favorite among musicians and audiences.
Lastly, the program features Brahms' Sonata in G Major. Brahms' three violin sonatas are all extraordinary masterpieces. Brahms published his first sonata for piano and violin in 1879 at the relatively mature age of 46, though it seems he may have consigned at least three previous sonatas to the flames of unrelenting self-criticism. The Sonata in G Major, Op. 78, thus stands out as an astonishing "first" sonata by any standard; it is a magical work full of graceful tenderness, fiery intensity, and tranquility. The title "Rain Sonata" refers to the fact that Brahms reused one of his own songs titled "Regenlied" to create the third movement of the sonata. The swiftly flowing Allegro moderato opens with the exact melody and accompaniment of the song, a wistful song sung to the steady splashing of rain.
Where:
The Stock Exchange building is located at Bragernes Torg and was inaugurated in 1871. The Stock Exchange Hall is a very beautiful hall and provides the finest surroundings for experiencing acoustic music. The Exchange has been the center of royal visits and large official receptions in Drammen. Kings Haakon, Olav, and Harald have all visited the premises.
The atmosphere around the Stock Exchange concerts is atmospheric, and in addition to experiencing music, it is possible to buy something to drink before the concert and during the intermission.
The doors to the hall open approximately 20 minutes before the concert begins.
Who's on stage tonight:
Ziad Kreidy is praised as an "aesthetician of sound and sensitive creator" by Nordwest Zeitung. Kreidy is a French-Lebanese concert pianist, musicologist, and composer. As a concert pianist, Ziad performs in France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Norway, the USA, Mexico, and Lebanon. His CDs have been lauded by French critics for their originality and technical mastery.
As a musicologist, he has authored and edited esteemed books and contributes articles to academic journals.
Kreidy has lectured at prestigious universities and institutions. He is currently a professor at the Versailles Conservatory and lectures at the Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.
Birgitte Stærnes has performed in France, England, Spain, Svalbard, Denmark, the Canary Islands, the Czech Republic, Italy, Estonia, the USA, Russia, and South America. She has played at the major festivals in Norway and is regularly invited to festivals in Europe. Her concerts and CDs have been featured in major magazines and newspapers such as The Gramophone, Musical Opinion, The Strad, Aftenposten, Dagbladet, and VG.
Birgitte is strongly devoted to chamber music and has played in halls such as Salle Cortot in Paris, Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room in London, Rudolfinum in Prague...
Her latest recording with the Trondheim Soloists was released in June 2023. Birgitte is the artistic director of the Halvorsen Music Festival.
Tonight's concert is a delightful entry into the brighter season, featuring works by Grieg, Debussy, and Brahms.
Edvard Grieg's Sonata for Violin and Piano in G Major, Op. 13, is one of his early works and a significant contribution to the Norwegian chamber music repertoire. Composed in 1865–1867, this sonata reflects Grieg's youthful vitality and his love for Norwegian folk music.
The work consists of three movements:
Lento doloroso - Allegro vivace: The first movement opens with a heartfelt and melancholic introduction in the violin, gradually building up to a lively and energetic Allegro vivace. The themes are characterized by Norwegian melodies and rhythms.
Allegretto tranquillo: The second movement is a calm and intimate intermezzo, with a delicate and lyrical melody flowing between violin and piano. The mood is tender and reflective, providing a contrast to the energy of the first movement.
Allegro animato: The third movement brings back the liveliness and enthusiasm from the opening movement. The themes are lively and danceable, with virtuosic passages for both instruments.
Claude Debussy's Sonata for Violin and Piano in G Minor, L. 140, is a remarkable work that marks a transition in Debussy's musical style from impressionism to his later, more experimental and modern approaches.
The Sonata for Violin and Piano was the third and final composition in a cycle meant to consist of six sonatas for different instruments, imbued with an atmosphere of melancholy. The work is presented in a form closer to a fantasy than a sonata. The three expressive movements (Allegro vivo, Intermede, and Finale) are written in a French nationalist spirit with distinct influences from Spanish and Gypsy music throughout. This ambiguity and ambivalence in form, sound, and character all contribute to Debussy's innovative language of 'musical impressionism', which has become a favorite among musicians and audiences.
Lastly, the program features Brahms' Sonata in G Major. Brahms' three violin sonatas are all extraordinary masterpieces. Brahms published his first sonata for piano and violin in 1879 at the relatively mature age of 46, though it seems he may have consigned at least three previous sonatas to the flames of unrelenting self-criticism. The Sonata in G Major, Op. 78, thus stands out as an astonishing "first" sonata by any standard; it is a magical work full of graceful tenderness, fiery intensity, and tranquility. The title "Rain Sonata" refers to the fact that Brahms reused one of his own songs titled "Regenlied" to create the third movement of the sonata. The swiftly flowing Allegro moderato opens with the exact melody and accompaniment of the song, a wistful song sung to the steady splashing of rain.
Where:
The Stock Exchange building is located at Bragernes Torg and was inaugurated in 1871. The Stock Exchange Hall is a very beautiful hall and provides the finest surroundings for experiencing acoustic music. The Exchange has been the center of royal visits and large official receptions in Drammen. Kings Haakon, Olav, and Harald have all visited the premises.
The atmosphere around the Stock Exchange concerts is atmospheric, and in addition to experiencing music, it is possible to buy something to drink before the concert and during the intermission.
The doors to the hall open approximately 20 minutes before the concert begins.
Who's on stage tonight:
Ziad Kreidy is praised as an "aesthetician of sound and sensitive creator" by Nordwest Zeitung. Kreidy is a French-Lebanese concert pianist, musicologist, and composer. As a concert pianist, Ziad performs in France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Norway, the USA, Mexico, and Lebanon. His CDs have been lauded by French critics for their originality and technical mastery.
As a musicologist, he has authored and edited esteemed books and contributes articles to academic journals.
Kreidy has lectured at prestigious universities and institutions. He is currently a professor at the Versailles Conservatory and lectures at the Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.
Birgitte Stærnes has performed in France, England, Spain, Svalbard, Denmark, the Canary Islands, the Czech Republic, Italy, Estonia, the USA, Russia, and South America. She has played at the major festivals in Norway and is regularly invited to festivals in Europe. Her concerts and CDs have been featured in major magazines and newspapers such as The Gramophone, Musical Opinion, The Strad, Aftenposten, Dagbladet, and VG.
Birgitte is strongly devoted to chamber music and has played in halls such as Salle Cortot in Paris, Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room in London, Rudolfinum in Prague...
Her latest recording with the Trondheim Soloists was released in June 2023. Birgitte is the artistic director of the Halvorsen Music Festival.
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E-mail: birgitte@johanhalvorsen.no
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Adresse: Kaspara Larsens vei 11,
3027 Drammen |
Tlf: 92466375/ 92648860
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