The witty, ironic ―and somewhat neglected― Suite for Violin and Piano by the early Benjamin Britten brings the freshness of a young, gifted composer navigating the edges of tonality. Gabriel Fauré’s Violin Sonata No. 1, on the other hand, has secured a more permanent place in the repertoire, thanks to its highly virtuosic writing combined with the composer’s light, elegant, and dreamy romantic style. The concert concludes with Beethoven’s celebrated Violin Sonata No. 7; a dynamic, “heroic” work dedicated to Tsar Alexander I, then regarded as a promising, enlightened ruler.
The violinist Alena Baeva, renowned for her refined, flexible, and powerful tone, is among the most versatile violinists on the international stage and captivates audiences performing on a precious 1738 Guarneri del Gesù. For nearly two decades, she has collaborated closely with pianist Vadym Kholodenko. Both young and highly decorated, they form a deeply connected duo, often presenting innovative programs that offer audiences fresh, sometimes daring interpretations: a true 21st-century chamber music partnership.
