‘It is well known that a composer’s life cannot and should not be easy. Recognition among performers must be earned, audiences must be surprised. Families must be fed, and so must the critics, and… well, there is also the music itself. And, in the middle of all these interests is a person, with their views, opinions, experiences. At first you might think that this will all be presented in epic opuses, opulent operas and symphonies, but no! When a composer wishes to embrace the darkest depths of their soul, no other outlet is better suited than chamber music. A small room and the company of an intimate circle of friends, nothing else. A deeply personal revelation of one’s sorrows and joys.

For this program, we have selected four very distinctive pieces. A very young Strauss’ Sonata for Violin and Piano, as expressive and colorful as his symphonic work. A Sonata from the patriot Janáček, who is better known to the world as an opera composer. Beethoven’s Sonata No. 4, called the Small Kreutzer Sonata among musicians. And Schumann’s stormy Sonata in A minor,’ the musicians describe the program.

Both performers are united not only by their Armenian heritage but also a similar way of approaching music, their high professionalism, and Germany as their current place of residence. For a long period, Georg Sarkisjan was the first violin of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra and a sought-after concertmaster in other European orchestras as a versatile talent with a broad range of interests. He is also passionate about teaching and has his own music school in Düsseldorf. Georg Kjurdian is a laureate of the prestigious International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition, an intellectual and liberal musician, talented teacher, an unwavering follower of his original path in music, a brilliant virtuoso, and a sensitive poet in music. 

Program:

Part I

Ludwig van Beethoven, Violin Sonata No. 4 in A minor, Op. 23

Robert Schumann, Violin Sonata No. 1 in A minor, Op. 105

Part II

Leoš Janáček, Sonata for Violin and Piano, JW VII/7

Richard Strauss, Violin Sonata in E-flat major, Op. 18

Artists:

Georgs Sarkisjans (Georg Sarkisjan), violin

Georgs Kjurdians (Georg Kjurdian), piano