Three Bartók concertos for the price of one: Capuçon, Eötvös and the BBCSO in Monte-Carlo

Renaud Capuçon, Péter Eötvös & BBCSO,
© Alain Hanel 

Renaud Capon (violin)
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Péter Eötvös (conductor)

Sunday 31 March, 2019

Salle des Princes, Grimaldi Forum, Monte-Carlo

Festival Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo

★★★★

Bartók, Béla (1881-1945): Concerto for Violin No. 1, Sz 36 (BB 48a)
                                          Concerto for Orchestra, Sz 116 (BB 123)
                                          Concerto for Violin No. 2 Sz 112 (BB 117)

Renaud Capuçon, Péter Eötvös & BBCSO, 
© Alain Hanel

'Capuçon was highly convincing, confidently supported by Eötvös and the BBCSO'.

'The BBCSO players were on strong form throughout, with a rich string sound in particular'.

'Eötvös also paced the frequent tempi changes here with great care'.

'Capuçon’s performance was captivatingly mobile and physical'.

Read my full review on Bachtrack here.

From bandoneon to Beethoven in Belle Époque splendour: Quatuor Renaud Capuçon in Monte-Carlo

Quatuor Renaud Capuçon, © Alain Hanel

Quatuor Renaud Capuçon
Sotty, Jean-Étienne (bandoneon)

Saturday 30 March, 2019

Opéra Garnier, Monte-Carlo

Festival Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo

★★★★



Kagel, Mauricio (1931-2008): Pandorasbox, pour bandoneon

Beethoven, Ludwig van (1770-1827): String Quartet No. 12 in E flat major, Op. 127
                                                            String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135

Jean-Étienne Sotty, © Alain Hagel

Kagel:
'The captivating Jean-Étienne Sotty, spins on a revolving chair, laughs, hums and whistles as he plays'.

Beethoven Op. 127:
'Capuçon and friends certainly produced a rich, full-bodied sound'.

Op. 135:
'Their "Song of repose or peace”, as Beethoven described his Lento assai third movement, was exquisitely tender, with some beautifully warm and lyrical playing'.

'The questioning swept to one side, the Quatour Renaud Capuçon left us with a feeling of resolution and acceptance'.


Read the full review on Bachtrack here.

All the rage: the Signum Quartet in Monte-Carlo

Signum Quartet, © JM Emportes

Signum Quartet

Friday 29 March, 2019

Musée Océanographique de Monaco, Monte-Carlo

Festival Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo


★★★★



van Dijk, Matthijs (b.1983): (rage) rage against the

Beethoven, Ludwig van (1770-1827): String Quartet No. 15 in A minor, Op. 132
                                                            String Quartet No. 13 in B flat major, Op. 130 with
                                                            Grosse Fuge in B flat major, Op. 133
Encore: 
Schubert, Franz (1797-1828): Du bist die Ruh, D776, arr. van Dijk, Xandi

van Dijk:
'A powerful workout for the intensely committed players'.

Beethoven Op. 132:
'The Signum Quartet's approach was bravely open, beginning with a bare, almost fragile pianissimo set of entries'.

'The intensity that the Signum Quartet gave to the suspensions that layer up brought the movement to a heart-stopping conclusion'.

Op. 133:
'An impressively commanding Grosse Fuge, ending a tour de force of two mammoth quartets'.


Read my full review on Bachtrack here.