This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sergei Rachmaninov – a composer, first-rate pianist and conductor who ended up emigrating from Russia to the United States. The programme for this concert curated by the leader of our second violins, Sergei Tiutiunik, includes three small-scale works brimming with late-Romantic longing in which the piano, played by Irina Zahharenkova, occupies a very special role.
We also dip into three life-affirming pieces by Fritz Kreisler, who likewise emigrated to the United States, in his case from Austria-Hungary, and the brilliantly effervescent violin sonata no. 8 by Ludwig van Beethoven.
Ensemble:
Raymond Cox, violin
Sergei Tiutiunik, violin
Sisu Sieppala, violin
Oliver Erlich, cello
Irina Zahharenkova, piano
Program:
Ludwig van Beethoven: Violin sonata no. 8 in G major, op. 30/3
Sergei Rahmaninov:
Prelude and Oriental Dance, op. 2
Vocalise, op. 34 no. 14
Fritz Kreisler:
Schön Rosmarin
Liebesleid
Caprice Viennois, op. 2
Sergei Rahmaninov: Trio Élégiaque no. 2 in D minor, op. 9