Cal Performances presents Yefim Bronfman and Pinchas Zukerman
2014-04-08
First Congregational Church
2345 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA
8:00 PM, Tuesday, April 8, 2014

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[8:05 PM lights down, musicians enter without any introduction]

Franz Schubert (1797-1828): Sonatina No. 2 for Violin and Piano in A minor, D. 385 (1816)

1. [8:05 PM] Allegro Moderato
2. [8:12 PM] Andante
3. [8:18 PM] Menuetto: Allegro
4. [8:20 PM] Allegro
   [work ends 8:24 PM, followed by applause for a bit]

[musicians return 8:26 PM]

Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata No. 7 for Piano and Violin in C minor, Op. 30, No. 2 (1802)

1. [8:26 PM] Allegro Con Brio
2. [8:34 PM] Adagio Cantabile
3. [8:43 PM] Scherzo: Allegro
4. [8:47 PM] Finale: Allegro
   [set ends 8:53 PM]

[9:09 PM; waiting; musicians return; tuning]

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): Sonata for Viola and Piano in F minor, Op. 120, No. 1 (1894)

1. [9:10 PM] Allegro Appassionato
2. [9:17 PM] Andante Un Poco Adagio
3. [9:22 PM] Allegretto Grazioso
4. [9:26 PM] Vivace
   [work ends 9:31 PM]
   
   Encore
   [9:31 PM PZ announces Encore]
5. [9:32 PM] Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791): 3rd movement, Allegro, from Violin Sonata No. 17 in C Major, K296 (1778)
   [show ends 9:37 PM]

• Yefim Bronfman: piano;
• Pinchas Zukerman: violin, viola.

Arrived early and lucked out again with a spot on Dana, just two blocks from the venue. Huzzah! Strolled up and across the neighborhood to wait awhile in the colonnade outside, only to find this to be a perfect spot to listen to PZ warm up and practice in the greenroom backstage. Listened there until he stopped, then walked in to find my seat and wait for the show to get going.

Sitting outside now, enjoying the contrast of the cool air compared against the still and stuffy air inside. Apparently both Pinchas and Yefim have the same idea, as both have come outside, and soon are engaged in conversation with other fans seeking audience with these greats. The garden and courtyard behind me is overflowing with other listeners seeking to cool off, many chatting excitedly about the set. Soon the backstage door is shut, and after a moment, a few strains of violin are heard above the idle chatter. Still practicing!

Being a viola sonata, and cast in F minor, the Brahms work programmed for second set favored decidedly darker tonal hues than the first set works, and perhaps this is why folks are reluctant to stand and applaud at the end of the set. They certainly weren't nearly so reticent in responding to the thrashing and crashing heroics of the C minor Beethoven Sonata that closed the first half. Strange!

As for me, I liked the whole program about equally well, with perhaps an inch of extra favor for the refinement of the opening work by Schubert. And while I made a mental note upon announcement of the encore (figuring I'd be all set), I'm not quite sure whether I got it right!

Back to the previous event ☸ Back to the 2014 yearbox ☸ Back to the 2014 event list! ☸ On to the next event!