“Whispers of Time” #2

Sønderho Church, Fanø. Wednesday 13th August 2025 at 7.30 pm

EINZELTICKETS All-inclusive-Festival-Ticket KR. 700,-

Toru Takemitsu: Entre-temps for Oboe and String Quartet

Arnold Bax: Quintet for Oboe and String Quartet

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K.581

Whispers of Time – Takemitsu, Bax, and Mozart

An Evening of Chamber Music for Oboe, Clarinet and Strings

Join us for a spellbinding evening of chamber music at Sønderho Church, Fanø, featuring an eclectic programme that travels from the ethereal sounds of Toru Takemitsu to the lush romanticism of Arnold Bax and the timeless elegance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

International artists Maia Cabeza, Tim Crawford, Michel Camille, Eddie Pogossian, Pau Codina, and David Daniel bring these remarkable works to life.

Toru Takemitsu: Entre-temps for Oboe and String Quartet (1986)
Composed in 1986, Entre-temps (French for “in the meantime”) was commissioned by the Eastman School of Music for oboist Richard Killmer and the Cleveland Quartet. The piece premiered on May 12, 1986, in Tokyo. Takemitsu, a prominent Japanese composer, was known for blending Western musical techniques with Japanese aesthetics. In Entre-temps, he explores the interplay between the oboe and string quartet, creating a soundscape that emphasizes timbral color and spatial relationships. The composition reflects Takemitsu’s interest in the concept of ma, the Japanese notion of negative space or the silence between sounds, allowing the music to breathe and evolve organically.

Arnold Bax: Quintet for Oboe and String Quartet (1922)
Arnold Bax composed his Oboe Quintet in 1922, dedicating it to British oboist Léon Goossens. The work is structured in three movements: Tempo molto moderato, Lento espressivo, and Allegro giocoso. Bax’s quintet showcases his affinity for rich harmonic textures and lyrical melodies, often drawing inspiration from Celtic folklore and landscapes. The oboe’s plaintive voice weaves seamlessly with the strings, creating a tapestry of sound that is both evocative and introspective. The second movement, in particular, stands out for its serene beauty, opening with a folk-like tune that gradually unfolds into a more expressive dialogue between the oboe and strings.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K. 581 (1789)
Mozart composed his Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K. 581, in 1789 for his friend and clarinet virtuoso Anton Stadler. This work is notable for being one of the earliest and most significant chamber pieces written for the clarinet. The quintet consists of four movements: Allegro, Larghetto, Menuetto (with two trios), and Allegretto con variazioni. Mozart’s writing highlights the clarinet’s expressive range, from the lyrical melodies of the second movement to the playful variations of the finale. The interplay between the clarinet and string quartet exemplifies Mozart’s mastery of chamber music, creating a balanced and intimate musical conversation.

These three works, spanning from the Classical period to the 20th century, showcase the versatility and expressive potential of wind instruments in chamber music settings. Each composer brings a unique voice and perspective, enriching the repertoire and offering listeners a diverse and engaging musical experience.