Beethoven mostly

Nordby Church, Fanø. Tuesday 29th July 2025 at 7.30 pm

ENKELTBILLETTER All-inclusive festivalbillet KR. 700,-

Ludwig van Beethoven: String Trio in C minor, Op.9  No.3

Francois Devienne: Quartet for bassoon, violin, viola and cello in G minor, Op. 73

Beethoven mostly

Ludwig van Beethoven’s String Trio in C minor, Op. 9 No. 3, is one of his most dramatic and forward-looking early chamber works. Written in 1797–98, during his formative years in Vienna, the trio belongs to a set of three string trios that Beethoven regarded with particular pride, seeing them as a significant step toward mastering the larger forms later showcased in his string quartets.

The choice of C minor is telling: it was a key of great personal significance for Beethoven, one he would later use for some of his most emotionally charged works, including the famous Fifth Symphony. As in that symphony, the C minor Trio opens with an arresting effect — a sudden dynamic sweep from soft to loud, immediately pulling the listener into its tense and vivid world. The first movement is full of sharp contrasts and dramatic gestures, creating a sense of constant motion and heightened expression.

The slow second movement shifts into C major, but the music carries an unexpected gravity, avoiding the bright serenity often associated with the key. The Scherzo follows with dark, skittering energy, its unsettled rhythms offering little respite. Finally, the Presto finale rushes forward in a restless stream, almost like a torrent of fleeting, loosely connected ideas, propelling the work toward its fiery conclusion.

Full of youthful brilliance yet already displaying Beethoven’s powerful individuality, this trio stands as a bridge between the Classical style he inherited and the revolutionary spirit he would soon unleash.

François Devienne (1759–1803) was one of the most celebrated wind players of his time, known both as a virtuoso flutist and a gifted bassoonist. Often called the “French Mozart” for his lightness of touch and elegant style, Devienne was a central figure in Parisian musical life around the time of the French Revolution. He was a founding professor at the newly established Paris Conservatoire and composed a vast body of works that showed off the expressive potential of wind instruments.

The Quartet in G minor, Op. 73 for bassoon, violin, viola, and cello reveals Devienne’s flair for combining graceful lyricism with lively interplay between voices. Written in the final years of his life, the piece showcases the bassoon not just as a supporting bass instrument but as a fully singing voice, engaging in true conversation with the strings. The choice of G minor — a key often associated with drama and intensity — brings a slightly darker emotional color to the music, though the overall tone remains polished and full of charm.

Balancing virtuosic passages with flowing melodies, this quartet offers a rare spotlight for the bassoon in the chamber music repertoire and highlights Devienne’s skill at blending Classical style with a distinctive French elegance.

Beethoven mostly
Ludwig van Beethoven: String Trio in C minor, Op.9  No.3
I. Allegro con spirito
II. Adagio con espressione
III. Scherzo. Allegro molto e vivace  – Trio
IV. Finale. Presto

Francois Devienne: Quartet for bassoon, violin, viola and cello in G minor, Op. 73
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Rondo: Allegretto

Ensemblet til denne koncert består af en række fremtrædende musikere, som hver især bidrager med deres unikke kunstneriske evner og ekspertise.

Tim Crawford (violin) er en alsidig og dygtig violinist, der er kendt for sine engagerende optrædener og sin dedikation til både moderne og traditionelt repertoire. Crawfords bidrag til kammermusikscenen er blevet meget rost, og hans evne til at kommunikere med både publikum og medmusikere er et kendetegn ved hans kunstneriske virke.

Michel Camille (bratsch) bringer et væld af erfaringer og en dyb musikalitet til ensemblet. Som en dygtig bratschist og kunstnerisk leder af Esbjerg Internationale Kammermusikfestival har Camilles lederskab og vision været medvirkende til at forme festivalens kunstneriske retning.

Philip Graham (cello) er kendt for sin rige tone og sit dybt udtryksfulde spil, som har gjort ham til en efterspurgt samarbejdspartner i kammermusiksammenhænge. Hans gennemtænkte musikalitet og følsomhed over for ensemblespil giver en særlig varme og dybde til hver eneste optræden.

Antti Salovaara (fagot) er en dynamisk og alsidig fagottist, der er anerkendt for sin smidighed, udtryksfulde rækkevidde og engagement i at udvide fagottens rolle i kammermusik. Salovaaras kunstneriske evner kombinerer teknisk brillians med en skarp sans for musikalsk dialog, hvilket beriger ensemblets lyd med både subtilitet og karakter.

Tim Crawford - violin, Michel Camille - Viola, Philip Skye Graham - cello, Antti Salovaara – bassoon