Evgeny Kissin, Gidon Kremer, Maxim Rysanov & Gautier Capuçon

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February 2025
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To celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Shostakovich, three highly-reputed soloists are gathering around the piano of Evgeni Kissin. Although the Russian composer was a lifelong pianist, he wrote very little music for this instrument, and in contrast to his dense catalogue of symphonies and quartets, there are only a few opuses showcasing the art of two-instrument sonatas. They are seldom performed in concert, but all require players of the highest calibre. Opus 40 for cello and piano dates from 1934 and is the first major work composed by the young Shostakovich, who was 28 and still in thrall to the memory of Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov. The next two pieces on tonight’s programme date from the composer’s twilight years. Opus 134 for violin and piano (1968) is dedicated to his friend the violinist David Oïstrakh and moves towards a very dark climax reflecting, as has been pointed out by numerous critics, the composer’s many hospital admissions at the time. Lastly, we have Opus 147 for viola and piano, which was written in July 1975, shortly before the composer’s death a month later. This is a melancholic, sombre work with many borrowings not only from his own earlier works, but also from Berg, Beethoven, and once again from Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov. This is literally a masterpiece for the end of life, when all is stripped back to the bare essentials. 

Program and cast

Evgeny Kissin | piano
Gidon Kremer | violin 
Maxim Rysanov | alto
Gautier Capuçon | cello

 

Shostakovich Sonata for cello and piano Op. 40
Sonata for violin and piano Op. 134
Sonata for viola and piano Op. 147 

Théâtre des Champs-Élysées

The Théâtre des Champs- Elysées is undoubtedly one of the finest venues in Paris . Built in 1913 , it has the distinction of having been designed by a group of artists architects Henry Van de Velde and Auguste Perret , the painter and sculptor Antoine Bourdelle , the painter Maurice Denis , and the crystal- René Lalique to do mention the main ones . He was the first Parisian theater to be built entirely of reinforced concrete.

 

Restoration of the Great Hall devoted to operatic performances , symphony concerts and dance was decided in 1985. Two years later , on 23 September 1987, the theater reopened its doors , completely renovated. Fifteen years after this important work it was decided to undertake a new renovation campaign , but to prevent the complete closure of the theater for an entire season , work is now carried by step during the summer . Then it is to replace aging equipment , to remedy wear certain parts of the theater and improve spectator comfort and artists during their visit . Thus in recent years, including the work involved the renovation of marble facade, replacing the carpet in the room with wooden floors , installation of a new fully decorated wooden concert to a significant improvement of acoustics, the orchestra pit and stage below .

 

The Théâtre des Champs- Elysées is now a modern working tool receiving each year nearly 300,000 spectators and a few thousands of artists and collaborators.

 

The Théâtre des Champs- Elysées , the jewel of French architecture of the twentieth century, was in 1953 one of the first buildings of contemporary architectural heritage to be classified as historic monuments . Since 1970 the Caisse des Dépôts owns the entire building 15 avenue Montaigne and principal patron of the theater.

 

For over a century, Théâtre des Champs-Elysées has been the place where the most celebrated artists have come to make their names in Paris. The world’s finest orchestras and world-class soloists have always been a fixture at the Theatre. Théâtre des Champs-Elysées presents more than 200 concerts each year and is renowned for its outstanding performances of all genres, from classical music concerts and staged opera to contemporary dance and jazz.

 

How to reach us:
 

Subway: Alma-Marceau (line 9), Franklin D.Roosevelt (line 1), Pont de l’Alma (RER line C)

Bus: n° 42, 63, 72, 80, 92
Taxi station: Place de l’Alma, corner of avenue George V
Car park: Alma George V. The entrance is in front of n° 19, avenue George V
Fixed rate depending on the length of the performance. Payment upon entering.

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