Silesian String Quartet and Guests / Third Concert in the Series: Alexandre Tansman in France - NOSPR

The Silesian String Quartet first encountered the music of Alexandre Tansman at the very beginning of its artistic journey. In their own concert series, the musicians return to the work of a composer who has remained an important source of inspiration. The concerts under the title Alexandre Tansman in France form a coherent portrait of the Łódź-born composer who found his artistic home among the Parisian intellectual circles of the early 20th century. Together with invited guests, the Silesian String Quartet reveals the richness of Tansman’s chamber music while exploring the work of other composers from his French circle.

The third concert in the series sheds light on one of the most important artistic relationships in Tansman’s life. Shortly after arriving in Paris in 1919, the young composer encountered Maurice Ravel, who became his mentor, friend and guide to the city's musical circles. Ravel introduced Tansman to conductors and publishers, and later accompanied him on, among other journeys, his American tour. The concert programme reveals the close affinity between their musical worlds. The first half features Tansman's String Quartet No. 4, written in 1935 for Rudolf Kolisch’s ensemble, alongside Maurice Ravel’s String Quartet in F major, widely regarded as a masterpiece of the chamber music repertoire. In the second half, the strings are joined by harp and wind instruments in two works scored for similar forces: Tansman’s Trois pièces pour clarinette, harpe et quatuor, composed in 1970 on a commission from Radio française, and Maurice Ravel’s earlier Introduction and Allegro. Although the latter is technically a septet, it resembles a concerto for harp. The instrument takes centre stage, carrying the musical narrative and, with its ever-changing colours, lending the music its distinctive lightness.

Julia Broniowska / NOSPR

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