Eliot Lawson - Jill Lawson - David Cohen

Ravel (1875-1937) wrote his Piano trio in 1914, during the transformation from his impressionist to his neoclassical period. He applies the whole palette, while adhering to strict formal clarity. Just once, Ravel outlined the entire form scheme with all its modulations and only afterwards did he develop the melodic material. The 'Sonata A la mémoire de Claude Debussy for Violin and Piano' was composed between 1920 and 1922. It ranks with the most beautiful chamber orchestra works from Ravel's legacy. 'Im Freien' by Bartók (1881-1945) is a five-part cycle from 1926, the time of his in depth study of Bach. This had an effect on his counterpoint notation. Next to this, the percussive piano treatment contrasts with the free rhythmic movement, the Bulgarian rhythms and folkloristic melodies. The atmosphere hearkens back to Debussy, and forecasts Ligeti, every piece flaunting the features of a highly original Bartók. The six sonatas for solo violin by Eugène Ysaye (1858-1931) are dedicated to six great violinist of his time. He wrote the Fifth for his Belgian friend Mathieu Crickboom. This sonata is the most modern, with sound effects that point to Bartók.