With its brilliant and crystalline timbre, the sound of the violin is unmistakable. In this concert we present works by Telemann, Lachner, Dancla and Bacewicz, especially written for four violins. Composed at different times, between the 18th and 20th centuries, these compositions deeply explore the artistic, expressive, and virtuosic capacities of their interpreters, unequivocally revealing the splendour of this magnificent instrument.
Programme Notes
Georg Philipp Telemann one of the most important and popular composers of 18th century Europe, composed four concerts for four violins during his stay in Eisenach or Frankfurt, in the opinion of some researchers, in a period of intense artistic activity, not only as an extraordinary violinist, but also as the composer of a great number of pieces for chamber music.
The form of the concert we present here is concise and concentrated; divided into four movements of contrasting character, the faster ones are lively and animated, while the slower ones are expressive and sentimental, but always in perfect balance.
Lachner wrote his Quartet for Four Violins, Op.107 at the age of 87, the year before he died. After completing the work, in a testimony that sums up his legacy, he said: “To the very end, I have been true to the classical composers of Vienna I admired so much”. He continually maintained that his goal was to write with the clarity and transparency typified by Mozart and Haydn, combined with the lilting beauty of Schubert. While hearing his works, it is clear that in this he succeeded. The quartet chosen for this concert, achieved considerable popularity in his time. With captivating melodies, simple but effective harmonies and relative ease of execution, it has endured over time and is still played all over the world.
The “Carnival of Venice” is based on a Neapolitan folk tune called "O Mamma, Mamma Cara”(Oh mother, dear mother) and popularized by violinist and composer Niccolo Paganini, who wrote twenty variations on the original tune. He titled it "Il Carnevale Di Venezia," Op. 40. Since Paganini, many variations on the theme have been written, and in Portugal it is well known by all children who sing it with the lyric “O meu chapéu tem três bicos” (My hat has three nozzles).
In this concert we will hear the variation for four violins, arranged by Charles Dancla.
Grazyna Bacewicz, a Polish violinist and composer of renowned international artistic merit, is the author of a vast and comprehensive musical collection. Much of which for solo violin, but also for chamber music, singing and orchestra, singing and piano, ballet and incidental music for cinema, theatre and radio broadcasting.
In his piece Quartet for Four Violins which we have chosen for this concert, the irreverence, sensitivity and humour in the mastery of his musical creativity are quite evident.
Programme
G. TELEMANN (1681 – 1767)
Quartet in G major, TWV 40:201
I. Largo e staccato
II. Allegro
III. Adagio
IV. Vivace
F. LACHNER (1807 – 1895)
Violin quartet, Op. 107
I. Allegro moderato
II. Andante
III. Allegro giocoso
IV. Finale. Allegro vivo, ma non troppo
C. DANCLA (1817 – 1907)
Brilliant variations about “The Carnival of Venice”. Op. 120
G. BACEWICZ (1909 – 1969)
Quartet for 4 violins
I. Allegretto – Allegro giocoso
II. Andante tranquillo
III. Molto allegro
Chamber Music Group
Zachary Spontak, violin
Jan Pipal, violin
Bojana Pantovic, violin
Sara Cymbron, violin
50 minutos, Duration
16/10
ALGOZ
Igreja Matriz de Algoz
05.00 pm
Free admission
Informations: T. 282 440 800
Município de Silves, Organization
#OCScâmara