French Romanticism

Lili Boulanger: Two pieces for violin and piano
Camille Saint-Saëns: Pianotrio no 1 in F Major op. 18
Gabriel Fauré: La Bonne Chanson op. 61

Annukka Kuivisto, soprano
Jaana Luuppala, piano
Susanna Suorttanen, violin
Maija Kontunen, violin and program planning
Ramona Wolin-Takala, viola
Larimatti Punelpuro, cello

The melodies of French Romanticism bring the spring chamber music series to a climax. Fauré’s nine-part song cycle was composed to poems by French poet Paul Verlaine and dedicated to Fauré’s beloved, soprano Emma Bardac. Saint-Saëns’ piano trio is a balanced and salon-worthy chamber music dialogue. The composer premiered his piano trio with violinist Pablo de Sarasate in Paris in 1865. The concert begins with Boulanger’s colorful, impressionistic and rich duo pieces.