The Tzlilim concert series brings another acclaimed ensemble to the Israeli stage – this time the Tal-Groethuysen piano duo, known for their unique repertoire and musicality. This Thursday, February 6, they will perform a selection of piano duets by Schubert, Ravel’s “Mother Goose”, and Louis Théodore Gouvy’s Sonata in C minor.
Israeli pianist Yaara Tal and her German partner Andreas Groethuysen are the two halves that form the Tal-Groethuysen piano duo. The two often include in their programs works that are rarely performed – their choice of Gouvy’s C minor sonata is only one example. They have a standing cooperation with Sony Classical, who has issued several of their CDs. Their most recent CD includes Mozart’s Concerto for Two Pianos and Carl Czerny’s Concerto for Piano for Four Hands and Orchestra, recorded with the Bavarian Radio Orchestra.
The first half of the concert will be devoted to Schubert’s piano works for four hands. This kind of piano playing was popular among aristocratic and wealthy families, where a piano was a regular feature in the home, resulting in a wave of Romantic-period four-handed compositions. Schubert’s works were usually performed in this intimate setting, and not in concert halls. The pieces chosen by Tal and Groethuysen exemplify the wide range of emotions expressed in Schubert’s music.
French Impressionism pioneer Ravel dedicated “Mother Goose” to Mimi and Jean Godebski, the children of his closest friends in Paris (to whom he’d dedicated his Sonatine). Ravel wanted to create a work for children, and incorporated themes that would be familiar to them – fairy tales by Charles Perrault. The piece proved too difficult for the children to play, but after its premiere in 1910 Ravel orchestrated it and expanded it into music for a ballet.
Groethuysen and Tal will 19th-century composer Louis Théodore Gouvy remains largely forgotten today, and even during his lifetime was never really appreciated by his compatriots. In Germany, inspired by Mendelssohn and Schumann, he was more successful. Gouvy reappeared on the map when his Requiem was recently rediscovered, and his works are being performed more often. Of the three piano duets Gouvy wrote, Tal and Groethuysen will perform the second (1896).
Program:
Schubert
Overture in G minor (D. 668)
Variations in C major (D. 908)
Fantasie in F minor (D. 940)
Ravel – “Mother Goose” (“Ma Mère l’Oye”)
Gouvy – Sonata in C minor (op. 49)
The concert will take place on February 6 at 20:30 at the Chais Auditorium on the Open University campus (1 University Road, Ra’anana). The commentary is given in Hebrew.
Tickets cost 80 NIS and can be ordered by phone at 1-700-700-169, or at the entrance to the auditorium on the evening of the concert. The brochure (in Hebrew) may be viewed here.
Visit www.tal-groethuysen.de to learn more about the duo.
