The ICCF is a special festival with concerts and masterclasses by renowned musicians. The festival officially started at the MIM (Museum of Musical Instruments) in Brussels. Artistic Director David Abrahamyan welcomed the audience at a concert that was thoroughly enjoyed. Read more about the festival here.
From Robert Schumann, listening to his piano quartet in E-flat major, op. 47, performed by an ad hoc ensemble consisting of Spanish violinist Ignacio Rodriguez, Mihai Cocea from Romania playing the viola, Armenian cellist Mikayel Voskanyan – recently a laureate of the prestigious Classic Cello International Competition in London - and Italian Giuliano Mazzoccante on piano.
From the first to the last note, breath is held. A work full of poignant sorrow, despair, suppressed anger born of helplessness, that is how it comes across. What emotions this gripping interpretation awakens! If only this performance could be heard again. It deserves to be recorded by these four musicians who shared the concert stage together for the very first time. The listener enjoyed an absolute harmony, a dialogue between the four instruments that merged into one whole. Such a way of playing touches deeply, you could weep at what this music evokes and how precisely it is presented. Yes, Schumann...
César Franck's piano quintet in F minor was performed by the same ad hoc ensemble, strengthened with violinist Yossif Ivanov who took on the first violin part.
Overwhelming, immersive, captivating and frankly somewhat bombastic is this quintet. The musicians made it their own, which made it particularly fascinating for listeners who had to follow along with the countless emotions and almost diabolical energy that the work carries.
An afternoon full of Romantic chamber music, written by highly gifted people who have transformed what defined their lives, consciously or unconsciously, into music. Music that will continue to charm, wonder and amaze.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VogynSgeHP9mfBIDCNgRN27IrYRoNk0_/view?t=24.020729