François-Xavier Poizat, piano | Gwendolyn Masin, violin | Benedict Kloeckner, cello | Finghin Collins, piano | Gemma Ni Bhriain, mezzo-soprano

From Le Tombeau de Couperin: Prelude, Menuet, Toccata

Sonata for violin and cello
Chansons populaires
Piano Trio

This concert of works from 1910 to 1920 celebrates Ravel’s French and Basque heritage. Following three movements from the Memorial to Couperin for solo piano, we hear the Sonata for violin and cello, dedicated to Claude Debussy, with whom Ravel had an ambiguous relationship. The second half of the concert features one of the composer’s great masterpieces, the Piano Trio. Composed as Europe was descending into World War One, it is admired for its ” Basque influences, shimmering colours, exoticism, fleeting shadows, and an underlying sense of quiet lament.” (Timothy Judd).