SMU Ivory Keys is proud to present "Klaviesta" to our KZfaq audience; our first live annual production held at an outside venue since COVID-19! ✨ Taken place at the Esplanade Recital Studio on 16 October 2023, we hope to bring you a wondrous, enchanting night of piano music, all from the comfort of your little black box at home.
César-Auguste-Jean-Guillaume-Hubert Franck was a Belgian-born French composer known for his significant contributions to late Romantic music. Although born in Liège, Belgium, Franck spent most of his life in France, where he became a prominent figure in the Parisian musical scene. He was a composer, organist, and influential music teacher.
One of Franck's notable compositions is his Violin Sonata in A major. This masterpiece, composed in 1886 as a wedding gift for the famous Belgian violinist Eugène Ysaÿe, consists of four movements. It showcases Franck's distinctive harmonic language, blending classical form with chromaticism and lush harmonies characteristic of the French Romantic style.
The fourth movement of Franck's Violin Sonata is marked "Allegretto poco mosso" and serves as the finale of this work. It brings the sonata to a thrilling conclusion with its lively and spirited character. The movement begins with a playful melody in the violin, accompanied by the piano. As it unfolds, the music becomes increasingly animated, filled with bursts of energy and virtuosic passages for the violin. Franck's masterful use of counterpoint and thematic development is on full display here.
The movement's contrasting sections provide moments of introspection and intensity, creating a dynamic and emotionally charged finale. It culminates in a triumphant coda, bringing the sonata to a satisfying and exhilarating close. Franck's Violin Sonata remains a beloved and frequently performed work in the violin and piano chamber music repertoire, cherished for its lyrical beauty and passionate expression.
Performed by Marcus Yeo and Tonny Dong at Annual Production 2023, 16 October 2023.
Brought to you by SMU Ivory Keys.
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