More than 10 years have now passed since the brothers Avanesyan (violin and cello) and pianist Khachatourian last performed together as part of the former excellent concert series 'Podium Jong Talent', organised by Carlo Schreiber at DeSingel (Antwerpen). At that time, they were still on the verge of their major breakthrough on the international stage. A small audience got to know these highly gifted performers. Now there is a new recording with violin sonatas by Johannes Brahms and you simply must acquire it…
Whether we might be willing and able to give the cd some attention on Klassiek Centraal, such is the polite and modest request. Ashot Khachatourian asks it cautiously. This leads to quite a conversation, which goes more about his irreplaceable mentor, the Portuguese piano wonder Maria João Pires than about the cd and about 'the' concert, precisely! Suddenly it emerges from the human hard drive. You! Yes indeed. Brahms? Send the cd then… The Armenian violinist Hrachia Avanesyan has built a strong bond with our country, where he arrived at age 17 to study at the Brussels Royal Conservatoire and later at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel. Ashot Khachatourian, a relative of the composer, is also Armenian and has become equally attached to our country, from where he travels the world giving concerts as a soloist, accompanist or member of a chamber music ensemble.
The chamber music of Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) is among the most beautiful and intimate of his rich oeuvre. It is difficult to imagine how he evolved in expression between the charming, honey-sweet opening Sonata no. 1 Op. 78 and the Sonata no. 3 Op. 108, which is much more energetic and rebellious. In some way, gifted artists expose themselves in their work. Consciously? Unconsciously? Thousands of words could be devoted to it, but whatever we might think and filter from it, we may have it all completely wrong in our conclusions, for only one person could have known and even then… In any case, it is magnificent music that is much more fragile than you might suspect. Only the finest musicians can perform these sonatas properly, and whether this duo does so!
1,000 words may be able to say and describe much, but it is always difficult to describe something that borders on perfection in such a way that, as a reader, you as it were already hear the performance. This performance moves you, especially in the first sonata. The second and third have more character, more conviction, but also delve deep into the emotional world of the human soul. Do both performers also bare themselves somewhat like Brahms does with these works?
Imagine while listening that you are Brahms himself, settle into your most comfortable chair with closed eyes and do the only thing that matters: listen with pleasure. Simple or complex, broadly bound or staccato, from the softest pianissimo to the most brilliant fortissimo, it is all there in an all-encompassing balance, full of feeling and dreamy…
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waQfWb9ACqk[/embed]