Monte-Carlo Spring Arts Festival: concert

Monte-Carlo Spring Arts Festival: concert: Mauricio Kagel by Matthias Geutin, singing harpsichord; Johannes Brahms by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Monte-Carlo conducted by Kazuki Yamada with Daishin Kashimoto, violin and Jean-Guihen Queyras, cello on Sunday 7 April, at 6 pm Auditorium Rainier III.

As we explore concertos by Brahms we should linger over the unique case of the Double concerto for violin and cello. This incredible piece sees two soloists join forces and dialogue with each other before putting all their energy into battling the power of the orchestra. Brahms never really tries to confront them in this alchemy; it’s more a quest for an ideal in orchestral chamber music whereby the musicians can just enjoy playing together. In the end, this sought-after complicity is what oozes from the orchestral scores, especially the Third Symphony which is the most personal of the four symphonies.