Marina Martin & Silviu Dumitrache: Timeless Sonatas – The London Premier
Fri, 26 Apr
|St Pauls Church
Immerse in Belgium’s musical legacy with Marina Martin & Silviu Dumitrache’s London debut. The evening showcases Franck and Lekeu’s timeless sonatas, echoing rich emotions from the late Romantic era. Yuri Frolov adds a contemporary twist with his Concert Fantasy on Gershwin’s themes.
Time & Location
26 Apr 2024, 19:30 – 21:30
St Pauls Church, Bedford Street, London WC2E 9ED
About the event
Embark on a mesmerising journey as the enchanting duo, Marina Martin and Silviu Dumitrache, make their much-anticipated London debut, casting a spell with their virtuosity on the violin and piano. This evening is a dedicated exploration of two extraordinary sonatas that stand as living embodiments of Belgium’s rich musical heritage.
César Franck’s timeless Violin Sonata and Guillaume Lekeu’s Sonata in G serve as profound testaments to Belgium’s enduring contribution to the chamber music repertoire. Born in the late Romantic era, these compositions are exquisite cascades of diverse emotions, intricately woven to captivate the soul.
Dedicated to the Belgian virtuoso Eugène Ysaye, these masterpieces were unveiled in Brussels, with Ysaye himself gracing the premiere on the violin. A pivotal moment in classical music history, these premieres firmly anchor the sonatas in the heart of Belgium’s cultural legacy.
Franck’s Sonata in A major, crafted as a wedding gift for Ysaye and Louise Bourdeau in 1886, unfolds in a series of movements. From the calm and reflective opening, through a dramatic and turbulent scherzo, to an almost Wagnerian fantasia, the sonata culminates in a jubilant coda, emanating sweet, pure, and lyrical themes.
Lekeu’s Sonata for Violin and Piano in G Major, completed in 1892, reveals the influence of his mentor, César Franck. Following the cyclical principle, Lekeu weaves recurring themes throughout each movement, creating a synthesis of melancholy, restlessness, and chromatic language punctuated by bursts of passionate energy, resulting in riveting dramatic climaxes.
Adding a contemporary touch to the evening, experience Yuri Frolov’s Concert Fantasy on Themes from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess op. 19. Crafted in a mere three weeks, this composition, described by Frolov as ‘a poem about love,’ narrates the tale of two contrasting souls who defy the odds to fall in love. The journey begins with a brief piano introduction, leading into the violin’s rendition of themes from Porgy and weaving in Serena’s Lament, Sportin’ Life, and Summertime.
Join us for an unforgettable night, where timeless melodies and evocative stories converge, showcasing the brilliance of Belgium’s musical legacy in the hands of Marina Martin and Silviu Dumitrache