French Masterpieces
Nordby Church, Fanø, Tuesday 5th August 2025 at 7.30 pm
SINGLE TICKETS All-inclusive Festival Ticket KR. 700,-
Claude Debussy: String Quartet in G minor, Op.10
César Franck: Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 14
French Masterpieces
Featuring Works by Claude Debussy and Gabriel Fauré
Composed in 1893, Debussy’s only string quartet represents a pivotal moment in music history. Departing from the strict formal structures of German Romanticism, Debussy creates a work that is organic, colorful, and imbued with a striking rhythmic vitality. The first movement introduces a bold, recurring motif that unifies the quartet’s four movements, while the second movement’s pizzicato textures evoke a playful, almost ethereal atmosphere. The slow third movement offers a tender and deeply expressive interlude, and the final movement fuses elements from earlier themes, culminating in a richly layered, transcendent conclusion. Debussy’s quartet is often seen as a foundation for the French impressionist style in music, emphasizing mood, color, and emotional nuance over traditional narrative development.
Fauré’s Piano Quintet No. 1, composed between 1887 and 1905, stands as one of the most refined achievements of his mature period. The first movement is notable for its luminous textures and seamless thematic development, built upon flowing lines and subtle harmonic shifts. The Adagio, often described as one of Fauré’s most moving slow movements, unfolds with an almost sacred calm, its lyricism expressing profound depths of feeling. The final Allegretto moderato brings a dance-like grace, marked by elegant rhythms and a tender introspection. Unlike the more overt emotionalism of his contemporaries, Fauré’s quintet captivates through understated beauty, intricate craftsmanship, and a unique harmonic language that would influence generations of composers.
French Masterpieces
Claude Debussy: String Quartet in G minor, Op. 10
I. Animé et très décidé
II. Assez vif et bien rythmé
III. Andantino, doucement expressif
IV. Très modéré
Gabriel Fauré: Piano Quintet in D minor, No. 1, Op. 89
I. Molto moderato
II. Adagio
III. Allegretto moderato
Dominic Chamot is a German-Swiss pianist born in Cologne in 1995, recognized for his international career as both a soloist and chamber musician. He has won over 30 competition prizes, including first prize and the audience award at the 2023 Viotti Competition, and has performed in prestigious venues such as the Berlin and Cologne Philharmonies, Vienna’s Musikverein, and New York’s Steinway Hall. Chamot completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Specialized Performance (Soloist) with top honors at the University of Music in Basel and has collaborated with renowned orchestras and conductors across Europe.
Born in St. Petersburg in 1994, Dmitry Smirnov is a Russian violinist who has garnered international acclaim, securing top prizes at competitions such as the ARD Music Competition and the Tibor Varga Violin Competition. He has performed with esteemed orchestras including the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin and the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, and has collaborated with renowned conductors like Heinz Holliger and Giovanni Antonini. Smirnov’s discography features recordings of works by Bach, Bartók, and Saint-Saëns, showcasing his versatility across both modern and historically informed performance practices.
Hailing from Vic, Spain, Joel Bardolet is a distinguished violinist known for his innovative interpretations and collaborations with Central European orchestras and chamber ensembles. Educated in Catalonia, Germany, and Switzerland, he has performed as a soloist with orchestras such as the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne. Bardolet is also a founding member of Trio Fortuny, contributing to the ensemble’s dynamic presence in the European classical music scene.
British-Finnish violist Michel Camille began his musical journey with a scholarship to Wells Cathedral School at age 11, leading to performances with legends like Yehudi Menuhin. Since 1995, he has been a core member of the Esbjerg Ensemble and served as its Artistic Director from 1997 to 2001. Camille founded the Esbjerg International Chamber Music Festival in 1999, fostering collaborations with leading composers and musicians worldwide.
Elisa Seiber is a cellist whose career encompasses solo performances, chamber music, and collaborations with contemporary composers. She has participated in various international festivals and has been involved in projects that blend classical traditions with modern innovations. Seiber’s dedication to expanding the cello repertoire is evident in her diverse performances across Europe and beyond.
Together, these artists form a dynamic ensemble, united by a shared commitment to musical excellence and an inspiring passion for the chamber music repertoire.
Dominic Chamot – piano, Dmitry Smirnov, Joel Bardolet – violin, Michel Camille, – viola, Elisa Siber – cello