Amaury Coeytaux, violin
Loïc Rio, violin
Laurent Marfaing, viola
François Kieffer, cello
Ravel’s love of Spanish music and his friendships with the Iberian artists of his time are well known.
The composer of the Bolero was a great advocate of these works, animated by ‘intense life’, in which ‘the melody flows in bubbling streams’ and hammered out with ‘prodigious rhythmic animation’. Less well known today than Manuel de Falla or Granados, Joaquín Turina was one of the composers promoted by Ravel. La oración del torero, originally written for four mandolins, evokes the contrast between the ferocious bustle of the bullring and the audience waiting for the show, and the silent devotion of a bullfighter praying for his life in an adjoining chapel. Another important influence on Ravel’s music was the Russian Romantic repertoire, which also explored writing for chamber ensemble. Souvenir de Florence, Tchaikovsky’s flamboyant sextet, combines Italian lyricism and Slavic intensity, and will be performed here with the exceptional participation of two guest soloists: Hélène Clément, viola (formerly of the Doric String Quartet) and Antoine Lederlin, cello (Belcea Quartet). The Modiglianis have been friends with Ravel and his unique quartet for many years. The work of a composer who was still a student, impressed by the path opened up by Debussy, this first page of chamber music is nonetheless the expression of an already unique aesthetic.
‘In its ardent sweetness, this serious, youthful music appears to be the most spontaneous Ravel ever wrote’ wrote Roland Manuel. A rich programme for a colourful concert!
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Program :
Joaquín Turina, La oración del terero
Maurice Ravel, String quartet in F major
Piotr Illich Tchaïkovsky, ‘Souvenir de Florence’ sextet, Op. 70, with the exceptional participation of :
Hélène Clément, viola (ex Doric String Quartet)
Antoine Lederlin, cello (Belcea Quartet)
