On Sunday, February 17th, 2013, Chamber Music in Oklahomapresented the third of their concerts this season featuring guest violinist Rachel Barton Pine and guest pianist Matthew Hagle. These two artists, who both live in Chicago and often play together, offered a recital of richly varied repertoire for violin and piano. The program opens with Ludwig van Beethoven's Sonata in E-flat Major, Op 12, No. 3, a work of grandeur and power not often found in pieces from the composer's early years.
After that Rachel introduces a work not often played or recorded, the improvisatory sounding and characteristic Sonata No. 3 of Heitor Villa-Lobos. Breaking up this program of Sonatas is William Grant Still's Suite of three movements, inspired by artists of the Harlem Renaissance. Rounding out the concert is the virtuosic Sonata in E-flat Major, Op 18 by Richard Strauss, a piece of symphonic proportions, foreshadowing the composer's mature style. Rachel and Matthew offer fascinating commentary about the arc of the recital, live performance versus studio recording, the repertoire, and playing together.
Tune in Saturday evening at 8:00 on Classical 88.7-1.