NDR Kammerkonzert

The Mount Everest of piano trios, at least as far as the Romantic and Impressionist eras are concerned: this is how you could describe the program, which is composed of two works by Tchaikovsky and Ravel. Tchaikovsky’s most famous piece of chamber music, which bears the subtitle »À la mémoire d’un grande artiste« (»In memory of a great artist«), is dedicated to the memory of the piano virtuoso and teacher Nikolai Rubinstein, who died in Paris in March 1881. Tchaikovsky was so shocked that the decision to write a musical epitaph was quickly made. According to an old tradition, Tchaikovsky even depicted twelve episodes from the life of his deceased friend in the final set of variations: However, it is still not known exactly which ones.

Shadows undoubtedly also lie over Ravel’s piano trio. It was composed during the outbreak of war in August 1914 and premiered in Paris the following year, 1915. Beneath the mask of sometimes dazzling virtuosity, elegiac, even painful undertones can be felt in many passages, lending the musical expression a peculiar depth. On this evening, the audience has the opportunity to experience the first chamber music performance by the new concertmaster of the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra: David Radzinsky takes on the virtuoso violin part in the two piano trios.

PERFORMERS

David Radzynski violin

Christopher Franzius violoncello

Paul Rivinius piano

PROGRAM

Maurice Ravel
Piano Trio in A minor

Piotr I. Tschaikowsky
Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 50 »À la mémoire d’un grand artiste«