Classic Soiree

Cello Sonata Opus 5 no.1 - Beethoven (1770-1827)

Beethoven wrote a total of five cello sonatas which span the breadth of his creative output. The opus 5 no.1 sonata is the earliest, and one of a pair of sonatas written as a result of a visit to Berlin in the Spring of 1796. Beethoven gave the first performances of these sonatas with the cellist Jean Louis Duport. The sonatas were published in the following year and were both dedicated to King Wilhelm Friedrich II.

This sonata begins with an extended slow, lyrical introduction which is harmonically and texturally varied, and compensates for the lack of a slow middle movement usually characteristic of the classical sonata. The Allegro owes its design to a classical concerto movement, in its breadth and rich array of thematic material, and also in its 38 bar written out cadenza towards the end of the movement. The final movement follows the typical rondo pattern found in early classical piano sonatas, where the main opening theme recurs several times between contrasting musical ideas, including, in this movement, a wonderfully haunting minor section. Beethoven later used the same harmonic progression in the final movement of his violin concerto.

Song Without Words Opus 109 – Cello and Piano - Mendelssohn (1809 – 1847)

This was Mendelssohn's last work for cello and piano and was written in 1845, just two years before his death, and published posthumously. This piece belongs to the series of 'Songs Without Words' Mendelssohn wrote for piano solo from the 1830s onwards. The title 'Song Without Words' was coined by Mendelssohn to describe solo works in which a song-like melody progresses against an accompaniment. This 'song' for cello is one of his most memorable and beautiful.

Double Bass Concerto - Serge Koussevitzky (1874 – 1951)

This concerto is arguably the most popular piece in the solo double bass repertoire. Koussevitzky was himself a renowned virtuoso on the instrument, and also one of the greatest conductors of the Twentieth Century. Born into a musical family in 1874, he received a scholarship to study double bass and music theory at the Musico-Dramatic Institute in Moscow when he was fourteen. In 1901 he made his debut as a soloist in Moscow and served to popularise the double bass as a solo instrument across Europe while also pursuing studies in conducting. Under his direction from 1924-1949 the Boston Symphony became widely regarded as one of the best orchestras in the United States, if not the the world. He conducted the first performance of Ravel's Orchestration of /Pictures at an Exhibition/, and also commissioned many of the century's most significant works for orchestra including Bartok's /Concerto for Orchestra/ and Messiaen's /Turangal//îla Symphony./

Summer from Four Seasons - Piazzolla (1921-1992)

Verano Porteno (Summer in Buenos Aires) starts off with an allegro, followed by four more contrasting slow-fast sections, each modulating in turn and finishing with a final statement of the allegro. This piece forms part of a work called “Four Seasons” and is a very good showcase of Piazzolla’s mastery of the Tango, as an art form.

Oblivion is a short, slow work which allows Piazzolla’s lyrical melodies to surface. It is less rhythmically driven than his other works and consists of only one section, with no big contrasts or surprises.

The CAT concert series for 2009 will be confirmed early in the next year.

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