The musicians of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam will be accompanied by pianist Jonathan Fournel
As part of its Chamber Music Series, Auditorio de Tenerife presents a performance by the Camerata RCO. The ensemble comprises musicians from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam and pianist Jonathan Fournel. On Thursday (March 26) at 7.30 pm, they will present Brahms y sus protegidos (Brahms and his protégés). The programme will feature works by Alexander von Zemlinsky, Ernst von Dohnányi, and Johannes Brahms. Included is Brahms’s Trio in E flat major for horn, violin and piano, Op. 37.
Both Zemlinsky and Dohnányi asked Brahms to review their compositions. Zemlinsky presented his Trio Op. 3, taking inspiration from a clarinet trio Brahms had recently composed. Brahms then wrote to his publisher and added the 25-year-old Zemlinsky’s work to his catalogue. The ensemble will perform Zemlinsky’s Trio in D minor for clarinet, cello, and piano, Op. 3. This piece will open Thursday’s concert.
Dohnányi published his first work, a piano quintet, at age 18. At that time, 62-year-old Brahms appeared on the scene, listened to the piece, and called it extraordinary. He took young Dohnányi under his wing, brought both the work and the composer to Vienna, and secured his future in music. Although the sextet, which will close the programme at the Auditorio de Tenerife, was written much later, one can still sense his admiration for Brahms. The work was published the following year after a recommendation from Brahms, who added, ‘I can recommend both the man and his talent.’
Camerata RCO is a unique ensemble. Its members come from the renowned Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam. Performing in the Chamber Hall will be Hein Wiedijk (clarinet), Lou Anne Dutreix (horn), Jelena Ristic (violin), Santa Vizine (viola), and Clement Peigné (cello). Pianist Jonathan Fournel will accompany them in this concert.
Camerata RCO performs chamber music in a variety of formats. They focus particularly on the wind and string repertoire, and cultivate active relationships with living composers. Their deep love for chamber music drives the members of one of the world’s finest orchestras to dedicate their time to performing together as Camerata RCO. The New York Times praised the group for its ‘warm and brilliant performance’. The ensemble has achieved great success in the Netherlands and abroad. Each season, Camerata RCO gives around 50 concerts in major musical capitals such as Minsk, Amsterdam, Vienna, Tokyo, Honolulu, Seoul, Madrid, Rome, and New York, and undertakes two North American tours.
Jonathan Fournel burst onto the international scene with great distinction in the spring of 2021. He won the coveted Grand Prix – Queen Mathilde Prize at the Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition. Marie-Aude Roux wrote in Le Monde: ‘A natural, musical and poetic interpretation of Mozart’s Concerto No. 18, performed with majestic purity and lyricism, as well as Brahms’ Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, conducted with intensity and an undeniable narrative sense.’
A few years earlier, Jonathan won first prize at the Scottish International Piano Competition in Glasgow. He also won at the Viotti International Competition in Vercelli. What stands out most in Fournel’s playing, apart from his impressive technique and extraordinary range of colours, is the balanced blend of exquisite refinement and wild instinct. His natural lyricism and the brilliant clarity of his interpretations illuminate the details with a deeply mature understanding of the music.
The tickets for the concert can be purchased at a single price of €15 and 5 euros for the audience under 30 years of age on the website www.auditoriodetenerife.com, at the auditorium’s box office, or by dialling the phone number 902 317 327 from Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There are discounts for students, the unemployed and large families.