Igor Ruhadze (violin), Vital Stahievitch (piano)

Concert 1: 18:00 — 19:00

Concert 2: 20:00 — 21:00

As an artist describes nature with paints, a composer and musicians describe nature with music. Originally, Igor and Vital intended to play a Christmas program for piano and violin. Unfortunately, the concert was postponed, first to February, and now to May. The Christmas program was released in February online, but for the audience who bought tickets for a live performance the musicians decided to create a completely new program.

The concert will open with the “Spring” Sonata (Frühlingssonate) by Beethoven. This sonata in F-major opus 24, the "Spring" sonata was published in 1801 and advertised at the time as a sonata for the piano with violin obligato. For all that, the work is well-balanced as between the two instruments. This is a flowing, lyrical work from Beethoven's first period and reminds the listener of Beethoven's ability to compose a beautiful melody. The first movement consists of a lyrical, expansive initial theme followed by a second, energetic, theme that dips into the minor key. The second movement is a slow, reflective lyric, reminding me of Schubert, set over a piano accompaniment in broken chords. The third movement is a very short, rhythmically complex scherzo while the finale is a rondo with a singing theme reminiscent of the opening movement.

One of the most outstanding works of French chamber music will continue our concert. The Violin Sonata in A - dur was written in 1886, when César Franck was 63. The piece is indirectly related to spring, not by its name, but by the most wonderful feelings that comes over us in spring - love. C. Frank presented the manuscript of the sonata as a wedding gift to its first performer, the famous Belgian 28-year-old violinist Eugene Ysaÿe. Franck was not present at the marriage ceremony, but on the morning of the wedding, their mutual friend presented the work as Franck's gift to Ysaÿe and his bride. After a hurried rehearsal, Ysaÿe played the Sonata to the other wedding guests. Franck's sonata became not only one of Ysaÿe's favorite works, who played it until the end of his performing career, but subsequently also part of the repertoire of many famous violinists.

PROGRAM

L van Beethoven - violin sonata N5 “Spring Sonata” (Frühlingssonate)

Allegro

Adagio molto espressivo

Scherzo: Allegro molto

Rondo:Allegro ma non troppo

C. Franck Sonata in A major for Violin and Piano

Allegretto ben moderato

Allegro

Ben moderato: Recitativo-Fantasia

Allegretto poco mosso