January 18

7:30 pm | Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall

Concert Guide | 7:30pm


Sonata in E-flat Major for Viola and Piano, Op. 120 No. 2

Originally composed for the clarinet, the composer later transcribed the piece for viola to take advantage of the instrument’s lower register.


Three Madrigals for Violin and Viola, H. 313

With only two instruments, Martinu creates an incredible range of tonal color and mood. The second piece is incredibly tender, and the finale hides several musical jokes, including a reference to Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony.

The slow middle movement gives this, one of the most famous of all piano trios, its nickname. The haunting melody is said to be inspired by the opening scene of Hamlet.

Suggested Performances

Romantic Masterpieces

If you love Brahms and Beethoven, you won’t want to miss Schubert’s final String Quartet, D. 887 Saturday, January 26. This piece features the Ehnes Quartet, James Ehnes, Amy Schwartz Moretti, Richard O’Neill, and Edward Arron.

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Beethoven Violin Sonata

Get more Beethoven with his Violin Sonata, Op. 30 No. 2 on Sunday, January 20. James Ehnes and Andrew Armstrong perform the piece during the matinee concert.

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Leading Czech Composers

Looking for more music like Martinů’s? Don’t miss Leoš Janáček’s first string quartet, known as the “Kreutzer Sonata,” which is based on Tolstoy’s novella of the same name.

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