Elisabeth Leonskaja. Certainly, she has been scheduled several times at the L’Esprit du piano festival in Bordeaux, but one never tires of hearing Elisabeth Leonskaja, a huge artist born in Russia in 1945 but a Viennese since 1978. On Sunday, April 19, she will unite her two heart countries with Mozart, Schönberg, and Schubert, her favorite, as well as Shostakovich’s Sonata No. 2, a composer she had the privilege of meeting.
The Janoska Ensemble. Certainly, the Slovak ensemble formed by the Janoska brothers (two violins and piano) and their brother-in-law on the double bass does not strictly adhere to the original scores of Bach’s “Aria,” Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons,” or “Carmen.” By incorporating elements of jazz and pop music, they give them an irresistible personal style that has made them famous worldwide and will continue to thrill the audience on Tuesday, April 21.
The Modigliani Quartet. Certainly, the Modigliani Quartet, the artistic director of the festival, is also the artistic director of the Bordeaux festival Vibre! where they will perform on May 26. However, on April 22, they will present a completely different program with Turina’s “La oración del torero,” describing the feelings of a bullfighter preparing to enter the arena, followed by Haydn’s final completed quartet (Opus 77, No. 2), and ending with Beethoven’s 15th culminating in a “Sacred Hymn of thanksgiving of a convalescent to the Divinity.”
The Curious Bards and Ilektra Platiopoulou. Perhaps you have already heard The Curious Bards in Lacanau or Pranzac this month, but you will have just as much excitement listening to a completely different program of Scottish and Irish music from the 18th Century on Thursday, April 23, performed by violinist Alix Boivert and mezzo-soprano Ilektra Platiopoulou.
Trio con Brio Copenhagen. While France has excellent violin, cello, and piano trios, the Trio con Brio from Copenhagen is considered one of the best in the world and has not performed in France for many years. Don’t miss their interpretation of Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, and Lili Boulanger on Saturday, April 25.
Capuçon and Bellom. Although violinist Renaud Capuçon and pianist Guillaume Bellom performed together in Bordeaux last February to a sold-out audience, there are still seats available to hear them play Brahms’ three Sonatas on Sunday, April 26, so grab yours now!
