Summer Evenings–Brahms and Chausson-19th century Romanticism and Lyricism

Nordby Church, Fanø. Thursday 21st August 2025 at 7.30 pm

SINGLE TICKETS All-inclusive Festival Ticket KR. 700,-

Summer Evenings – Brahms and Chausson

Johannes Brahms: String Quintet No. 1 in F Major, Op. 88

Ernest Chausson: Piano Quartet in A Major, Op. 30

Summer Evenings – Brahms and Chausson
A Night of Rich Romantic Expression

Warmth, passion, and shimmering textures await in this glorious programme.

This Summer evening’s programme juxtaposes two masterworks from the late Romantic period, each reflecting its composer’s mature style and cultural milieu. Together, these compositions offer a compelling exploration of Romantic expression, from Brahms’s intricate formal designs to Chausson’s emotive lyricism, providing a fitting conclusion to a summer evening of chamber music.

Brahm’s String Quintet emerged during a time of significant political and economic developments in Europe. That year saw the formation of the Triple Alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, reshaping continental alliances . Concurrently, France experienced the Paris Bourse crash, leading to a severe economic downturn. Chausson’s Piano Quartet in A Major, completed between 1897 and 1899, was composed amidst events like the Greco-Turkish War over Crete  and the Brussels International Exposition, which showcased European imperial ambitions.

Johannes Brahms: String Quintet No. 1 in F Major, Op. 88
Brahms composed his String Quintet No. 1 in the summer of 1882 during a stay in the idyllic town of Bad Ischl, a place he often sought for creative inspiration. Adding an extra viola to the traditional string quartet, Brahms achieved a rich, sonorous texture that gives the quintet its characteristic warmth and depth. Op. 88 stands out for its integration of lyrical beauty and formal innovation: the second movement, for instance, ingeniously blends elements of a grave slow section, a lively scherzo, and a tender trio, all within a single movement. Brahms himself considered this quintet one of his finest works, combining the intellectual rigor of his late style with a newly relaxed melodic freedom, and a radiance that sets it apart from his darker, more turbulent earlier chamber music.

Ernest Chausson: Piano Quartet in A Major, Op. 30
Composed between 1897 and 1899, Chausson’s Piano Quartet in A Major emerged during the final, most mature phase of his career — a period tragically cut short by his untimely death in 1899. Deeply influenced by both César Franck’s cyclic structures and the sensual harmonies of French Impressionism, Chausson crafted in this quartet a work of rich emotional breadth and radiant color. The music weaves together luminous textures, lyrical passion, and an underlying melancholy, typical of Chausson’s introspective style. Though less frequently performed than the quartets of his contemporaries, Op. 30 stands as a masterful synthesis of French lyricism and architectural complexity, marking Chausson as one of the most poignant voices of fin-de-siècle French music.

Summer Evenings – Brahms and Chausson
Johannes Brahms: String Quintet No. 1 in F Major, Op. 88
I. Allegro non troppo, ma con brio
II. Grave ed appassionato – Allegretto vivace
III. Allegro energico

Ernest Chausson: Piano Quartet in A Major, Op. 30
I. Animé
II. Très calme
III. Simple et sans hâte
IV. Animé

The Norwegian Christian Ihle Hadland– piano, has built an international career as a soloist and chamber musician, performing with leading orchestras and at major festivals across Europe, North America, and Asia.

Polish violinist Maria Wloszczowska, is recognized for her versatile musicianship, performing as a soloist, director, and chamber musician. She serves as Artistic Partner of the Royal Northern Sinfonia and Director and Leader of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. 

Spanish violinist Pablo Hernán Benedí, has built a distinguished career as a soloist and chamber musician. He is a founding member of the Trio Isimsiz and has been a member of the Chiaroscuro Quartet, performing extensively across Europe.

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. 

French violist Hélène Clément has been a member of the Doric String Quartet, performing globally at venues such as the Vienna Musikverein and Wigmore Hall. She teaches at the Royal Academy of Music in London and plays on Benjamin Britten’s 1843 Giussani viola, on loan from the Britten-Pears Foundation. 

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.