Fauré Piano Quartet No 1 in c minor op 15 Sally Beamish Gala Water for solo cello Mozart Duo for violin and viola in B flat K424 Debussy La Mer (arr. Beamish) Paul Barritt violin Jonathan Barritt viola Sebastian Comberti cello Daniel King Smith piano Our Summer Season’s opening concert has a decidedly Gallic flavour highlighting both Fauré and that French master of mood and atmosphere, Debussy. ‘La Mer’, Debussy’s orchestral set of evocative sketches, displaying his own vision of the sea, are brilliantly captured in Sally Beamish’s transcription for piano trio. This work is often cited as a pinnacle of musical Impressionism, where emotions and motifs create a real musical dialogue. It is also today one of the most played works of French music. The concert opens with Fauré’s wonderful c minor piano quartet, curiously positive in tone despite the minor key. Gala Water by Sally Beamish is a set of variations for solo cello based on the folk tune ‘Braw, Braw Lads of Gala Water’ (a Robert Burns poem). Nothing French here, this is definitely about Scotland (and cellist) the brave. Adding a gem from the classical repertoire we will hear Mozart’s second duo for violin and viola, a partnership which was clearly close to his heart... See more >