Three compositions by Beethoven for piano trio and voice, drawn from different periods of the composer’s career, weaving together text as well as folk elements of his time, make up the programme of this concert. With his Piano Trios, Op. 1, published in 1795, the young Beethoven made his “official” entrance into the world of composition in spectacular fashion, while in 1809, at the midpoint of his compositional career, the celebrated Trios, Op. 70, were published. In the early 19th century, the composer wrote a number of folk songs for voice and piano trio, based on folk songs from Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and England (set to lyrics by great British poets of the 18th century), as well as on popular and folk songs of the time. Beethoven’s song “Musing on the Roaring Ocean” (based on the poem-song by Robert Burns) speaks to the feeling of the individual’s absolute harmony with the whole.

PROGRAMME

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
Piano Trio, Op. 1, No. 3, in C Minor
10 Folk Songs (for voice and piano trio)
Piano Trio, Op. 70, No. 1, in D Major, “Ghost”

PERFORMERS

MEZZO-SOPRANO
Laura Mamakos

PIANO
Maria Efstratiadi

VIOLIN
Vanessa Athanasiou

CELLO
Elli Filippou

Photographs
Elli Filippou
PHOTO – Vanessa Athanasiou