Friday 21 September | 1.00pm
Sarah-Jane Bradley viola, and John Lenehan piano
Venue: Unitarian Chapel, St Saviourgate
£10.00 (£5.00 students, £1.00 under 18)

Josef Haydn (1732-1809) Divertimento in D Major for viola and piano (originally for cello, arranged for viola by Gregor Piatagorsky)
Anton Dvorak (1841 – 1904) Silent Woods Op. 65 (arranged Sarah-Jane Bradley)
Anton Dvorak (1841 – 1904) Slavonic Dance Op.46 (Kenneth Harding)
Frank Bridge (1879 – 1941) Two Pieces: Pensiero and Allego; Appassionato
Felix Mendelssohn (1809 – 1847) Sonata in C Minor for viola and piano

The lyrical and mellow tone of the viola is revealed in all its glory in this recital by one of the UK’s preeminent viola players, Sarah-Jane Bradley. The programme contains works that were transcribed from cello originals and pieces that were written intentionally for the instrument. Haydn’s Divertimento is re-imagined by the cellist Piatagorsky for either cello or viola. Before Dvorak moved to America he went on a tour of Bohemia, playing his own music, with violinist Ferdinand Lachner and cellist Hanus Wihan. Realizing he had very little for the cellist to play Dvorak quickly adapted some of his most beautiful music for Wihan. These cello pieces once again lend themselves to the viola. Frank Bridge was an accomplished viola player and so wrote from the heart and in the knowledge of its particular qualities as an instrument. Written on commission from Lionel Tertis these pieces evoke a haunting mixture of French impressionism, English folk modality and an atmosphere of wistful reverie. The ‘boy’ Mendelssohn was also an accomplished viola player and his sonata presages his Sextet, Piano Quintet and the celebrated Octet. He loved the sound of the viola and like Bridge knew how to write towards its particular qualities. For the era, a viola sonata was rare.

Followed by masterclasses for young musicians from York

Please note there is a £1.50 administration charge per transaction