Living Room Music by the Coast: Classical with a Dash of Tango

Johann Sebastian Bach - Violin Sonata No. 2 in a minor BWV 1003 - “Andante” and “Allegro”

Bach wrote a set of six works for solo violin, the Sonatas and Partitas. Over centuries, they have maintained their place as a core repertoire for solo violinists. The violinist is required to play many voices at once just like a piano or an ensemble, especially in the Andante of the second sonata, where the soloist consistently plays a heartbeat-like line throughout the whole piece while playing other voices, on one instrument.

Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 30 Op. 109 3rd movement

The third movement of the final three piano sonatas ever written and published by Beethoven. They are some of his most mature, and intimate works, and the 3rd movement of Op. 109 is considered one of the greatest. The theme is a glass half full, hopeful chorale, the following variations wandering and exploring the hopefulness of humanity.

Frederic Chopin - Piano Sonata No. 2 2nd movement

The stormy scherzo in Chopin’s second Piano Sonata. He only wrote three sonatas in his lifetime, very little compared to the greats of the classical period which became a trend, as Beethoven had already explored much of what could be done with the solo piano structure.

William Bolcom - Graceful Ghost Rag (1970)

A nostalgic rag written by William Bolcom, an American composer and pianist. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1988, and studied with Messiaen in France. He was composer in residence and a professor at University of Michigan, and frequently performs his own compositions.

Jean Sibelius - Violin Concerto in d minor (1904)

Finnish composer Jean Sibelius’ only concerto for the violin, as well as his only concerto period. As a prolific composer for the orchestra, this piece is symphonic in nature, representative of the dark, robust Nordic Romanticism. This piece was premiered in Helsinki, with Sibelius himself conducting.

Ludwig van Beethoven - Violin Sonata No. 9 Op. 47 (1803) “Kreutzer” 2nd movement

Originally dedicated to Beethoven’s friend, violinist George Bridgetower, the iconic sonata was re-dedicated to violinist Kreutzer after an aggressive fall-out. The second movement opens with a theme played in an intimate and cantabile fashion, while fiery and graceful variations follow suit.

Astor Piazzolla - Libertango for Violin and Piano

Born as an instrumental concert piece, there have been many transcriptions and versions of this piece for different instruments, and voices alike. As a classically trained composer, this piece symbolized his break from the classical forms of tango, to “tango nuevo” a new form of tango where new elements of music became incorporated into tango. The name of the piece means “liberty” and “tango”, combined into one word.

Tonight, we will perform a mixed program stemming from the influence of Western Classical Art music. From the greats of J.S. Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven, to the American greats in Astor Piazzolla and George Gershwin, we perform a program of historical and modern compositions of violin and piano repertoire, with a dash of tango!