Le Due Muse – July 19, 2015

Le Due Muse
The Romantic Impressions for ‘Cello & Piano

Sarah Hong, cello; Makiko Ooka, piano

Frédéric Chopin Introduction and Polonaise Brilliante in C major, Op. 3 and Sonata in G minor, Op. 65
César Franck Sonata in A major for cello and piano

Le Due Muse is a cello and piano duo team formed by the Bay Area cellist Sarah Hong and her long time duo partner, Japanese pianist Makiko Ooka. They return to Old First Concerts to share the most romantic and passionate cello and piano works by Chopin and Franck. This unique program combines the works in which two of the Romantic eras greatest composers expressed their deepest emotions through the medium of cello and piano. The program begins with the Introduction and Polonaise Brilliante, which was one of Chopin’s first published works, followed by Cello Sonata in G minor, his only duo sonata and the last published work. It reflects the story of him trying break up with George Sand, and the encroaching illnesses that would take his life in only a few short years. It is one of the masterpieces of the era, and the first of the great Romantic cello sonatas. The final piece of the program is a very expressive and soulful Cello Sonata by Franck which is more widely known as a violin sonata. This piece is filled with beauty, excitement, imagination, poignancy, and drama. For more information please visit cellistsarahhong.com.