Passions Unbound – Janáček, Mendelssohn, and Beethoven
Hjerting Church, Esbjerg. Sunday 17th August 2025 at 4 pm
SINGLE TICKETS All-inclusive Festival Ticket KR. 700,-
Leoš Janáček: String Quartet No. 1 “Kreutzer Sonata”
Felix Mendelssohn: String Quartet No. 1, Op. 12
Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet in C Major, No. 3, Op. 59 “Razumovsky”
Passions Unbound – Janáček, Mendelssohn, and Beethoven
Masterworks of the String Quartet
Leoš Janáček: String Quartet No. 1, “Kreutzer Sonata” (1923)
Composed in 1923, Janáček’s String Quartet No. 1 draws inspiration from Leo Tolstoy’s novella “The Kreutzer Sonata,” which explores themes of jealousy and passion. Janáček’s quartet mirrors the novella’s emotional intensity through abrupt motifs and speech-like rhythms, creating a musical narrative that reflects the psychological turmoil of the characters. The work’s four movements, all marked “Con moto,” maintain a restless energy, embodying the dramatic tension and inner conflict central to Tolstoy’s story.
Felix Mendelssohn: String Quartet No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 12 (1829)
At the age of 20, Mendelssohn composed his String Quartet No. 1, Op. 12, during a period of extensive travel and artistic growth. The quartet reflects his engagement with classical forms while infusing them with Romantic expressiveness. The opening movement features a lyrical Adagio leading into a lively Allegro, showcasing Mendelssohn’s melodic inventiveness. The second movement, a Canzonetta, offers a light, dance-like character, while the Andante espressivo provides a heartfelt, song-like quality. The finale, marked Molto allegro e vivace, brings the work to an energetic close, demonstrating Mendelssohn’s mastery of form and emotional depth.
Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet in C Major, Op. 59, No. 3 “Razumovsky” (1806)
Beethoven’s String Quartet Op. 59, No. 3, completed in 1806, is the third of the “Razumovsky” quartets, commissioned by the Russian ambassador to Vienna, Count Andreas Razumovsky. This quartet showcases Beethoven’s innovative approach to the string quartet form, expanding its expressive range and structural complexity. The work opens with a slow introduction leading into a vibrant Allegro, followed by an Andante con moto quasi allegretto that offers lyrical introspection. The third movement, a Menuetto, provides graceful elegance, and the finale features a fugue-like Allegro molto, demonstrating Beethoven’s contrapuntal prowess and bringing the quartet to a spirited conclusion.
Experience a tour de force of string quartet repertoire at Syddansk Musikkonservatorium, Esbjerg. Performed by Maia Cabeza, Tim Crawford, Michel Camille, Eddie Pogossian, and Pau Codina, this programme brings three masterpieces to blazing life.
Inspired by Tolstoy’s dramatic novella, Janáček’s quartet pulses with intensity, raw emotion, and the jagged rhythms of obsession. Fragmented melodies and urgent harmonies create a gripping narrative that is as modern as it is timeless.
Passions Unbound
Leoš Janáček: String Quartet No. 1, “Kreutzer Sonata”
I. Adagio – Con moto
II. Con moto
III. Con moto – Vivo – Andante
IV. Con moto – Adagio – Più mosso
Felix Mendelssohn: String Quartet No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 12
I. Adagio non troppo – Allegro non tardante
II. Canzonetta: Allegretto
III. Andante espressivo
IV. Molto allegro e vivace
An exhilarating journey through Passion, lyricism, and triumph — chamber music at its finest!
Maia Cabeza, Tim Crawford – violin, Michel Camille – viola, Pau Codina, Eddie Pogossian – cello
British violinist Tim Crawford is an accomplished soloist and chamber musician. He has performed across the UK and Europe and is currently studying at the Basel Musik Akademie under Rainer Schmidt.
Michel Camille, has been the violist of the Esbjerg Ensemble since 1995 and served as its Artistic Director from 1997 to 2001. He founded the Esbjerg International Chamber Music Festival in 1999, attracting musicians worldwide.
Catalan cellist Pau Codina has performed extensively throughout Europe in prestigious venues like Wigmore Hall, the Royal Festival Hall, and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. He is a graduate of the Yehudi Menuhin School, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and the Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth.
American cellist Eddie Pogossian is a graduate of the Juilliard School and the Royal College of Music. He has performed as a soloist with orchestras including the Boston Pops and the Royal Northern Sinfonia and serves as Professor of Cello at the Royal Northern College of Music.