This is a program of
interesting parallels and circular links. The focus is mid-nineteenth century Paris. We open with
a piece by Wieniawski, the Polish violinist who studied at the Paris
Conservatory and who credits a meeting with Chopin as his inspiration for
pursuing the craft of composition. We then move to Franck, who wrote a piece
for his Belgian compatriot, Ysaÿe. Both composer and performer studied at the
storied Parisian cultural mecca, Ysaÿe as a student of Wieniawski. In cyclic
fashion, the recital closes with a beautiful Nocturne by Chopin. To draw one
final parallel to the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, we
present our newest Gold Medalist Augustin Hadelich, the recipient of prizes
established under the artistic direction of our founder Josef Gingold, one of
the most famous students of Eugène Ysaÿe.
Sonata in A
Major for Violin and Piano César Franck
llegretto ben
moderato; Allegro; Recitativo - Fantasia; Allegretto poco mosso
Franck's single violin sonata is one of the most
important and beloved sonatas in the violin and piano duo repertoire. The work
was written in 1886 in honor of the wedding of Eugène Ysaÿe. Franck's training
was first as a pianist and composer, later as an organist. His award-winning
affinity for fugal writing was further developed during his employment as a
church organist. For thirty years, the improvisations played during the course
of a church service possibly served as the root of his compositional technique
of "cyclic form". Using this technique, thematic material occurs in more than
one movement as a unifying device. The Violin Sonata is unified by three
motives developed in cyclic fashion throughout. Franck closes the sonata with a
sunny Rondo finale which, emphasizing an adept skill in counterpoint, opens
with a theme in perfect canon.
Classical Music | Violin Music
César Franck
Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major, M. 8 Play
Recorded on 04/24/2007, uploaded on 01/23/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
This is a program of interesting parallels and circular links. The focus is mid-nineteenth century Paris. We open with a piece by Wieniawski, the Polish violinist who studied at the Paris Conservatory and who credits a meeting with Chopin as his inspiration for pursuing the craft of composition. We then move to Franck, who wrote a piece for his Belgian compatriot, Ysaÿe. Both composer and performer studied at the storied Parisian cultural mecca, Ysaÿe as a student of Wieniawski. In cyclic fashion, the recital closes with a beautiful Nocturne by Chopin. To draw one final parallel to the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, we present our newest Gold Medalist Augustin Hadelich, the recipient of prizes established under the artistic direction of our founder Josef Gingold, one of the most famous students of Eugène Ysaÿe.
Sonata in A Major for Violin and Piano César Franck
llegretto ben moderato; Allegro; Recitativo - Fantasia; Allegretto poco mosso
Franck's single violin sonata is one of the most important and beloved sonatas in the violin and piano duo repertoire. The work was written in 1886 in honor of the wedding of Eugène Ysaÿe. Franck's training was first as a pianist and composer, later as an organist. His award-winning affinity for fugal writing was further developed during his employment as a church organist. For thirty years, the improvisations played during the course of a church service possibly served as the root of his compositional technique of "cyclic form". Using this technique, thematic material occurs in more than one movement as a unifying device. The Violin Sonata is unified by three motives developed in cyclic fashion throughout. Franck closes the sonata with a sunny Rondo finale which, emphasizing an adept skill in counterpoint, opens with a theme in perfect canon.
Notes by Catherine Partlow Strauss,
International Violin Competition of Indianapolis
More music by César Franck
Alegretto Moderato, from Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major, M. 8
Prelude, Figue and Variation for organ, Op. 18
Prélude, Choral et Fugue
Prelude Fugue et Variation - Live
Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major, M. 8
Violin Sonata - A Major, Allegro
Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major, M. 8
Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major, M. 8
Sonata for violin and piano in A Major (transcribed for viola)
Prélude, Choral et Fugue
Performances by same musician(s)
Nocturne in c-sharp minor for Violin and Piano
Polonaise de Concert in D Major, Op. 4
Classical Music for the Internet Era™
Courtesy of International Music Foundation.