Classical / Classical Period / Modern Classical / musique de chambre / période romantique

Les Violons du Roy | Trios inattendus : The Intimate Charm of Chamber Music

by Mona Boulay

Early in the evening, as part of the “Apéro Series”, we meet up with Les Violons du Roy for the concert Dvořák et Cie: Trios inattendus. The concert, shorter in duration than Les Violons du Roy’s usual concerts, draws its repertoire from pieces written for bourgeois or noble private settings: receptions, dinners… So many occasions to be entertained by smaller instrumental ensembles.

The first piece, Mozart’s String Trio in B-flat major, features two violins accompanied by the double bass, an uncommon alliance in Baroque trios, but one that was surely practiced at the time to carry the bass a little more than the cello at private parties. The “Adagio” gives us a chance to hear some lovely exchanges between the three musicians, while the “Menuetto” is much more bouncy. The musicians play nicely together, and all the variations, whether in the phrasing of the eighth notes or in the rallentandos, are gracefully executed. The trio format lays the musicians bare, and there are occasional tiny bow snags, particularly on the double bass, but that’s also part of the charm of these small ensembles.

The concert continues with Dvořák’s Terzetto for two violins and viola in C major, alternating between rapid homorhythmic passages, very well executed, and gentler question-and-answer games. The viola is superb in the “Larghetto” and energizes the “Scherzo”. The final section of the piece features a magnificent surge of energy and emotion from the first violinist, Pascale Gagnon, who gives a splendid performance. The audience is won over. This is followed by Kodály’s Serenade for two violins and viola, a much more modern piece in which Hungarian music colors are mixed with more experimental approaches for the time. From the outset, the hall is captivated by the high-pitched playing of violinist Katya Poplyanski, who had already won me over as first violinist at a previous Les Violons du Roy concert. The latter possesses a sharp musical sense and total mastery of her instrument, but always retains a central place for emotional phrasing and flights of fancy: playing that is both methodical and free. The “Lento” presents an exchange between violin 1 and viola, supported by a chordal texture from violin 2; a truly special section, but one in which we really see the two soloists conversing. The final movement, “Vivo”, is more playful and brings the piece to a beautiful conclusion.

To end the concert, the viola gives way to the double bass, which returns to perform Strauss’s Wiener Carnaval-Walzer. A much simpler piece, perhaps even too much so, after the previous two daring ones. The whole thing is well-executed and amusing, without shining through.

A fine musical success, this concert is also an opportunity to get to know the musicians of Les Violons du Roy in a different, more intimate setting.

Latest 360 Content

Les Hay Babies – Some People

Les Hay Babies – Some People

Les Violons du Roy | Trios inattendus : The Intimate Charm of Chamber Music

Les Violons du Roy | Trios inattendus : The Intimate Charm of Chamber Music

Semaine du Neuf |  “Quelque part, mon jardin / My Backyard, Somewhere”, A Two-Headed, Bilingual Creature

Semaine du Neuf |  “Quelque part, mon jardin / My Backyard, Somewhere”, A Two-Headed, Bilingual Creature

SAMWOY ft. Virginie B – Simon Says

SAMWOY ft. Virginie B – Simon Says

Semaine du Neuf | Baptême du Haut-Parleur… Home Run !

Semaine du Neuf | Baptême du Haut-Parleur… Home Run !

Semaine du Neuf | A Spiritual Journey Through Matter and Sound

Semaine du Neuf | A Spiritual Journey Through Matter and Sound

Rachel Therrien – Mi Hogar II

Rachel Therrien – Mi Hogar II

Semaine du Neuf | 25 years of Bozzini! Interview with the Quartet

Semaine du Neuf | 25 years of Bozzini! Interview with the Quartet

Lady Gaga – Mayhem

Lady Gaga – Mayhem

Semaine du Neuf | Paramirabo/Musikfabrik: old school avant-garde meets cool post-modernism

Semaine du Neuf | Paramirabo/Musikfabrik: old school avant-garde meets cool post-modernism

Semaine du Neuf | Tim Brady and The Symphony in 18 Parts

Semaine du Neuf | Tim Brady and The Symphony in 18 Parts

Violons du Roy | Mozart, Dvořák, Kodály and Johann Strauss: an unexpected aperitif encounter

Violons du Roy | Mozart, Dvořák, Kodály and Johann Strauss: an unexpected aperitif encounter

MARO + NASAYA – Lifeline

MARO + NASAYA – Lifeline

Semaine du Neuf | Quatuor Bozzini: “Effusion of Friendship” With Oesterle, Smith and Arnold

Semaine du Neuf | Quatuor Bozzini: “Effusion of Friendship” With Oesterle, Smith and Arnold

Semaine du Neuf | Martin Bédard’s “archaeosonic” excavations

Semaine du Neuf | Martin Bédard’s “archaeosonic” excavations

Melodînes | Cyrille Angers and Bruce Gaulin, a Trio of Questions for a Flute-Piano Duo!

Melodînes | Cyrille Angers and Bruce Gaulin, a Trio of Questions for a Flute-Piano Duo!

Shunk – Shunkland

Shunk – Shunkland

Manu Katché: Star drummer, star communicator

Manu Katché: Star drummer, star communicator

Semaine du Neuf | Decidedly Acousmatic !

Semaine du Neuf | Decidedly Acousmatic !

A Celestial Journey: Holst’s The Planets with the OPCM

A Celestial Journey: Holst’s The Planets with the OPCM

Semaine du Neuf | “Listen with your eyes closed”: Acousmatic Music by Annette Vande Gorne

Semaine du Neuf | “Listen with your eyes closed”: Acousmatic Music by Annette Vande Gorne

Semaine du Neuf | When Opera Questions Technology

Semaine du Neuf | When Opera Questions Technology

Big Band for women at UdeM

Big Band for women at UdeM

Semaine du Neuf | Horror-themed kick-off event

Semaine du Neuf | Horror-themed kick-off event

Subscribe to our newsletter