Internationally renowned violinist Shunske Sato and pianist Shuann Chai offer a delightfully varied programme of Mozart, Poulenc, and Beethoven, performed on both modern piano and historical fortepiano. Acclaimed for their dedication to historically informed performance, this duo promises an afternoon of virtuosity, insight, and depth.

The pieces on this afternoon’s programme were composed in honour of notable musical figures – each with a big personality! Mozart’s Sonata for Piano and Violin in F Major is dedicated to composer and pianist Josepha Barbara Auernhammer, a student of his who corrected several of his sonata prints and partnered with him in piano duos to great acclaim. Poulenc’s Violin Sonata was written in memory of Federico García Lorca, with the score dedicated to the composer’s niece. The most famous dedication of the programme belongs to Beethoven’s monumental Violin Sonata No. 9, known today as the “Kreutzer” Sonata (after violinist Rodolphe Kreutzer), the piece was originally dedicated to George Bridgetower (just wait until the artists reveal the backstory!).

Join us for an afternoon of storytelling and incredible musicianship as Sato and Chai bring a keen awareness of the musical and historical contexts in which these works were created and performed.

Fortepiano workshop to follow directly after!

Artists:

• Shunske Satoviolin
• Shuann Chaipiano

Programme:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
Sonata for Piano and Violin in F Major, K. 376
            Allegro
            Andante
            Rondo. Allegretto grazioso           

Francis Poulenc (1899–1963)
Violin Sonata, FP 119
            Allegro con fuoco
            Intermezzo. Très lent et calme
            Presto tragico           

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Violin Sonata No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47 (“Kreutzer/Bridgetower”)
            Adagio sostenuto – presto
            Andante con variazioni
            Presto

Download Programme

Early Music Now is presented with the generous support of Nicole Presentey.

Chamberfest thanks the University of Ottawa Music Department for their continuous and generous support of our programming.