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Program I - Poetry and the Animal Kingdom

A program based on poetry and the kingdom of animals.

The composition of the Dutch composer Willem Frederik Bon (1940-1983) is based on poems by Verlaine which recites of love, nature and clowns. It is said that Debussy's Cello sonata was originally called 'Pierrot angry with the moon', based on 'Pierrot Lunaire'. 'Vox Balaenae' by Crumb (1929) was inspired by the singing of the humpback whale. After the interval five songs by Ravel to texts by Jules Renard portraying a sympathy towards the birds and the cricket. Followed by one of Debussy's most renowned pieces 'Syrinx' for solo flute about Pan's unreturned love for the maiden Syrinx. The 'Chansons Madécasses' are settings of three exotic poems by Evariste Parny, a frenchman who lived in the tropics in the eighteenth century.

Program II - Impressionism versus Modern

Impressionism was the leading development in French painting and music in the later 19th century. There were two important composers of this era: Debussy and Ravel. Duruflé (1902-1986) was often referred to as the last impressionist. The strength of Durufle's composition lies in its fusion of different elements - liturgical modality, subtle counterpoint, and the refined scoring of Debussy and Ravel. The music selected for this concert gives the listener a varied taste of some of the impressionistic and modern masterpieces for chamber music. For flute, cello and piano a trio by Duruflé versus Crumb's neo-impressionist 'Vox Balaenae' (Voice of the Whale), one of the 20th century's most evocative pieces of music. Followed by the songs of Debussy versus Berio's 'Sequenza' for mezzo-soprano with its kaleidoscope of sounds and emotions. After the interval 2 compositions for the entire ensemble; the 'Brendan Songs' a new work by dutch composer Reyer Ploeg commissioned by the Darius Ensemble. Finally the impressionistic songs 'Chansons Madécasses' by Ravel.

Program III - A Berio, Crumb, Darius Evening

Between 1958 and 2002, Luciano Berio (1925-2003) wrote fourteen pieces entitled 'Sequenza'. The Sequenza series is one of the most remarkable achievements of the late twentieth century, a collection of virtuoso pieces that explores the capabilities of an unaccompanied instrument and its player, making extreme technical demands and developing the musical language of the instrument. 'Sequenza III' is for voice and is dedicated to his wife Cathy Berberian. In 2002 Luciano Berio wrote one of his last compositions 'Sequenza XIV' for solo cello. Crumb's (1929) music is a rich blend of new and innovative techniques, often involving aspects of theatre. In 'Vox Balanae' he calls for the musicians to wear masks and to perform under a blue light. His reputation as a composer of hauntingly beautiful scores has made him one of the most frequently performed composers in today's musical world.