Seattle Chamber Music Society Summer Festival: Beethoven, Enescu, Kodály, Boulanger, & Strauss

Ludwig van Beethoven — Violin Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 12, No. 2
George Enescu — Aubade for String Trio in C major
Zoltán Kodály — Intermezzo for String Trio
Lili Boulanger — Lullaby et Cortège
Richard Strauss — Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 13

Ludwig van Beethoven – Violin Sonata No. 2, Op. 12 No. 2
James Ehnes, violin / Andrew Armstrong, piano

Georges Enescu – Aubade for String Trio in C major
Amy Schwartz Moretti, violin / Richard O'Neill, viola / Edward Arron, cello

Zoltán Kodály – Intermezzo for String Trio
Amy Schwartz Moretti, violin / Richard O'Neill, viola / Edward Arron, cello

Lili Boulanger – Lullaby et Cortège
James Ehnes, violin / Andrew Armstrong, piano

Richard Strauss – Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 13
Augustin Hadelich, violin / Jonathan Vinocour, viola / Cemeron Crozman, cello / Boris Giltburg, piano

Program Notes
Dedicated to Mozart's teacher, Antonio Salieri, this set of violin sonatas was his first. Featuring playful banter between the musicians, it builds to a thrilling crescendo.

An "Aubade" is a song sung by lovers parting in the morning – a contrast to an evening "Serenade." Without words, Enescu paints a picture of two young people as they part for the day, full of joy and love.

In the style of a “serenade,” Kodály’s Intermezzo incorporates Hungarian folk melodies into the music to preserve local musical traditions.

Boulanger was the first woman to win the Prix de Rome. These two short works are a great contrast to each other: one is a lullaby, the other a grand procession.

As a young composer, Strauss composed several symphonies and chamber works, including this often-overlooked Piano Quartet.

About Seattle Chamber Music Society

http://www.seattlechambermusic.org/