A luminous evening of intimate chamber music

Through this diverse program, Camerata Nordica continues its mission of illuminating the chamber repertoire—from familiar masterpieces to rarely heard gems—in settings that foster close connection between performer and audience. Under the soft glow of candlelight, each work speaks with clarity, intimacy, and timeless beauty.

The concert opens with Frédéric Chopin’s Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52, composed in 1842. Often regarded as his most complex and profound ballade, this work is rich with narrative character, harmonic invention, and technical brilliance. Performed as a solo piano piece, it invites the listener into Chopin’s deeply personal and emotionally expansive sound world.

Following this, the program turns to Frank Bridge’s Berceuse for viola and piano. Composed in the early 20th century, this short, lyrical piece is a gentle lullaby that showcases the expressive depth of the viola, offering a moment of quiet intimacy.

French composer Mel Bonis is featured prominently in this program. Her Sérénade for violin and piano, Op. 46, reflects her late Romantic style—elegant, flowing, and emotionally nuanced. Bonis’s piano trio Soir-Matin, Op. 76, presents two contrasting movements: Soir (Evening), marked by lyrical warmth and introspection, and Matin (Morning), which offers a brighter, lighter texture, evoking the fresh energy of a new day.

Samuel Barber’s Sure on this shining night, originally a song from his Four Songs, Op. 13, is presented in a sensitive arrangement for cello and piano. The piece retains the lyricism and serenity of the original vocal setting, allowing the cello to take on the song’s glowing melodic line.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Rondeau from his Duo for Violin and Viola in G major, KV 423, is a brilliant example of classical balance and charm. Composed in 1783, this duo showcases Mozart’s ability to bring clarity and wit to conversational writing between two instruments.

In Richard Strauss’s Variations on a Bavarian Folksong, the string trio explores the humorous and rustic character of a traditional melody through inventive variation. Though rarely performed, this work offers insight into Strauss’s early compositional voice and his playful treatment of folk material.

After the intermission, the concert concludes with one of the great works of the Romantic chamber repertoire: Gabriel Fauré’s Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor, Op. 15. Composed between 1876 and 1879, this quartet is known for its lyrical themes, elegant harmonic language, and emotional scope. It remains one of Fauré’s most enduring and beloved chamber works, combining structure and passion in equal measure.