England, the country without music, is how the kingdom was described in the 19th century – however, John Dowland did not weep over this unfair accusation when he wrote his heart-rending song “Flow my tears”. This program, which spans 111 years of English works for viola and piano, proves that this is not the case. We experience the composers Britten and Adés, both equally renowned pianists and conductors, in two rather introverted and quiet pieces: Britten’s famous Lachrymae after Dowland is a work of variations in which the theme “Flow my Tears” is only heard in its original form at the very end. Britten’s only work for viola and piano has become one of the great repertoire works. Adés’ Three Berceuses is also contemplative and deals with scenes from his 2016 opera “The Exterminating Angel” in a very intimate way. In contrast, the First Sonata by York Bowen, probably the last Romantic in English music, is a magnificent and virtuosic work that is rarely heard in this country. Rebecca Clarke’s sonata, on the other hand, has long been regarded as one of the most important works of the early 20th century in this genre and concludes our program. A celebration of the viola and English music!
This program is my official debut project with the Holst Sinfonietta. For more information, visit www.holst-sinfonietta.de
