ROMANTIC TREASURES FOR CELLO AND PIANO
Sunday, October 28th, 2018, at 5 p.m.

SEBASTIAN STOGER, cello YELENA GRINBERG, piano

From the organizer:

Dear Friends!
On Sunday, October 28th, 2018, at 5 p.m., Sebastian and I are thrilled to invite you for a memorable evening of ROMANTIC TREASURES FOR CELLO AND PIANO, featuring both celebrated and rarely-heard jewels by Beethoven, Schubert, Dvorak and Grieg, in celebration of the 175th birthday of Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) – one of the renowned Romantic composers whose integration of Norwegian folk music brought the music of Norway to international prominence. We will open the program with Beethoven’s celestial and lesser-played Sonata in C Major for cello and piano, op. 102, no. 1 (1815), written on the cusp of the Romantic Era during Beethoven’s final Late Period when he was on the brink of total deafness. The critics of the time, much perplexed by Beethoven’s enigmatic last works, wrote of the two Opus 102 cello sonatas: “They elicit the most unexpected and unusual reactions, not only by their form but by the use of the piano as well…” (Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung). Following in the footsteps of Late Beethoven, Schubert’s wistful and lyrical Sonata in A minor for cello and piano, D. 821 (1824), written soon after his celebrated Die Schone Mullerin song cycle and shortly before his “Great” C Major Symphony, was originally scored for arpeggione – an extant six-string, guitar-like instrument that could be bowed as a cello. Imbued with a touching blend of sadness and sunshine, it is cast in three compact movements: an opening Allegro moderato, with its main melancholy melody, a heartfelt, hymn-like Adagio, and a lighthearted, folk-like rondo, Allegretto, with many virtuosic fireworks throughout, that brings the work to its touching ending. The second half of our program will open with Antonin Dvorak’s stately and seldom-heard Polonaise in A Major for cello and piano, B. 94 (1879) – one of his first works for cello and piano which masterfully exploits both the singing and brilliantly virtuosic qualities of the cello. We will conclude with Grieg’s impassioned Sonata in A minor for cello and piano, op. 36 (1882-83) – his one-and-only Cello Sonata which was dedicated to his brother and keen amateur cellist, John, and written during a period of major crisis in Grieg’s life and marriage. The Sonata, full of urgency and dramatic flair, is cast in three broadly-conceived movements: the turbulent Allegro agitato, the sweetly lyrical Andante molto tranquillo, and a fiery Allegro molto e marcato finale, full of Norwegian folk melodies, harmonies and characterful goblin-dance rhythms. Written at the pinnacle of Grieg’s mastery, it stands alongside the great cello sonatas of Brahms, Saint-Saens, and Strauss as one of the finest – and unjustly overlooked! – late Romantic cello sonatas of all time. Don’t miss this riveting musical journey through the Romantic Treasures for Cello and Piano!
Sebastian and I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday, October 28th!

Best wishes,

Dr. Yelena Grinberg, founder and artistic director of the Grinberg Classical Salon Series

WHEN: Sunday, October 28th, 2018, at 5 p.m.
Doors will open at 4:30 p.m.            Food-and-wine reception to follow the salon
WHERE: Private Residence on the Upper West Side (West 90s)
You will be emailed the exact home address after you register through this website
ADMISSION: $30
Admission price includes the wine-and-hors d’oeuvres reception with the guest Artists           Attendance is limited to just 21 seats!           Advance ticket purchase through Eventbrite is required. NO tickets sold at the door.
CONTACT: Dr. Yelena Grinberg – ygpiano@gmail.com
PROGRAM:
ROMANTIC TREASURES FOR CELLO AND PIANO
BEETHOVEN – Sonata in C Major for cello and piano, op. 102, no. 1 (1815) SCHUBERT – Sonata in A minor for arpeggione (cello) and piano, D. 821 (1824) DVORAK – Polonaise in A Major for cello and piano (1879) GRIEG – Sonata in A minor for cello and piano, op. 36 (1882-83)
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For more information on the upcoming salons, visit: http://yelenagrinberg.com/grinberg-classical-salon-series/