Leonidas Kavakos and Enrico Pace present a recital of three of Beethoven’s sonatas for violin and piano, each highlighting a different aspect of his compositional style. From the interplay between the instruments in Sonata No. 1 to the lyrical character of Sonata No. 5, the Spring Sonata, the programme culminates with Sonata No. 9, the Kreutzer. A technically demanding work full of dramatic contrasts, it pushes the relationship between violin and piano to its limits.
The Greek violinist and Italian pianist, who have performed together regularly for many years, bring this repertoire to the Palau de la Música Catalana. The concert is part of the Ibercamera series and marks the bicentenary of Beethoven’s death.
This is... good to know
The nickname Spring for Beethoven’s Sonata No. 5 did not come from the composer himself. It became popular decades after his death, probably because of the gentle character of the music. Its exact origins remain unknown.
The Kreutzer Sonata premiered in 1803, with violinist George Bridgetower and Beethoven at the piano. Following a disagreement between the two, Beethoven changed the dedication to Rodolphe Kreutzer, who, ironically, never performed the work.
