Sonatas and Variations - Scarlatti, Beethoven

It may seem unusual to compare these two giants of music history, who were separated by almost a century. Domenico Scarlatti (1685–1757), a Neapolitan who made his career at the Spanish court, is best known for his immense output of sonatas for the harpsichord. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), the son of a mediocre musician from Bonn, revolutionised Western music from his apartment in Vienna, particularly with his quartets, symphonies and sonatas for the fortepiano.

These two geniuses have one thing in common: both wrote some magnificent and rare pieces for the mandolin, accompanied by the harpsichord. In these works, which are by turns profound, playful or gallant, we find both musicians' taste for unusual sound combinations.

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Vincent Beer-Demander, one of today's best-known virtuoso mandolinists, and Jean-Marc Aymes, harpsichordist, teacher and artistic director, invite you to discover these little-known aspects of the two composers' musical output. For one evening, the listener is suddenly transported to the Spanish court, full of colour and lively rhythms, then plunged into the heart of Beethoven's romantic torments, as he fell in love with a tender and spirited mandolin virtuoso (who was, of course, married!) to whom he dedicated most of the works performed in this programme.

Cast:

Vincent Beer-Demander, mandolin

Jean-Marc Aymes, harpsichord