Harmonies du Soir: Festival of French Chamber Music

Harmonies du Soir welcomes you to explore the refined soundscape of French music, with Ravel’s artistry at the core.

This chamber music festival, marking the close of the year, is a thoughtful nod to the intricate interplay of tradition and modernity. Expect whispers of elegant, fleeting melodies alongside daring, avant-garde gestures — an journey through the shifts in French musical identity.

The program navigates a spectrum of moods and textures, honoring both the old masters and contemporary voices who have left their mark on the genre, in ways both subtle and bold.

Concert 1: Un Cabaret Sérieux
Thursday 27 November, 3:00pm

Lili BOULANGER D’un soir triste & D’un matin de printemps
Pascal DUSAPIN Stanze
Henri DUTILLEUX Les Citations
Eugène BOZZA Sonatine
André JOLIVET Suite en Concert
Guillaume CONNESSON Sextet

Concert 2: Rousseau vs. Rameau
Thursday 27 November, 7:00pm

Jean-Jacques ROUSSEAU Overture from Le devin du village (‘The Village Soothsayer’)
Claude DEBUSSY String Quartet in G Minor, op. 10
André CAPLET Conte fantastique
Jean-Phillippe RAMEAU Overture from Castor et Pollux
Maurice RAVEL Violin Sonata No. 2
Darius MILHAUD La création du monde

Concert 3: Poème
Friday 28 November, 3:00pm

Ernest CHAUSSON Poème, op. 25
CHAUSSON Concert for violin, piano and string quartet, op. 21

Concert 4: In Search of Lost Time
Friday 28 November, 7:00pm

Louise FARRENC Nonet
Mel BONIS  Scènes de la forêt
Pauline GARCIA-VIARDOT Romance and Tarantella from Six Morceaux
Gabriel FAURÉ Piano Quartet No. 1 in C Minor, op. 15

Concert 5: Versailles — Pompidou — Notre-Dame
Saturday 29 November, 1:00pm

Thierry ESCAICH Magic Circus
Clara MAÏDA …das spinnt…
Jean-Marie LECLAIR Trio Sonata op. 2, no. 8
François COUPERIN Selections from Pieces de Clavecin
Élisabeth Jacquet DE LA GUERRE Trio Sonata in D Major
Jean-Baptiste LULLY arr. GIONANIDIS Suite from Le Bourgeoise Gentilhomme

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