october Concert 2023


Sunday, october 22, 2023 | 4:30 pm AND Monday, october 23, 2023 | 7:00 pm


artists:

Elisabeth Kufferath, Violin

Stephen Perry, Piano

Douglas Harvey, Cello

Perry Kufferath, Piano


Program:

Sonata for piano and violin in G major, K379…………………………………………………………...Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Mozart's G Major Sonata for Piano and Violin K. 379 begins by comforting the listener with a generously sonorous adagio before launching into a second movement which in addition to being dramatic, is also sometimes quite badly behaved. The final movement, a theme and set of variations allows us to experience Mozart at his most inventive and playful.

“Versprechen” (“Promise”) for violin solo, based on the Lutheran chorale “Ist Gott mein Schild und Helfersmann”…...Kati Agóc

Versprechen (Promise), written in 2004, is based upon J.S. Bach’s harmonization of a Lutheran chorale tune entitled “Ist Gott mein Schild und Helfersmann” (“God is my Shield and Helper”). It casts the soloist as the hero in a musical peregrination. Its eight minute trajectory traces spiritual yearning, supplication, and redemption, with the chorale melody always present, although at times “refracted” - -as if heard through an auditory prism. Thus from the opening question-like phrase, by way of the technique of “verticals” (as used by Stravinsky in his late music), the journey leads to a closing presentation of the original chorale melody, heard at first from a distance but growing ever more confident and impassioned. Versprechen is playable on violin, viola, or cello.

- Kati Agócs

Chorale Prelude „Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ“ (nach BWV 639) for piano…………………………………………Bach/Busoni

Piano Trio in D Minor, op. 63……………………………………………………………………………………..Robert Schumann

By the time Robert Schumann published his first piano trio, he was already an extremely experienced composer of chamber music, and that experience shows throughout this masterful D Minor trio. The expansive first movement is turbulent and conflicted, pushing the limits of form while exploring waves upon waves of expressivity. The next movement is brisk, playful, even a bit hyperactive--all at the service of the emotionally devastating slow movement which follows. The finale, with its songful optimism and verve, features a blazing bravura finish.

A special thank you to our catering team - Flavor Co!