ONSLOW Nonet (35’)
FAURÉ Elégie (7’)
TCHAIKOVSKY Souvenir de Florence (33’)

A grand work for a grand finale: captivating charm and wit from George Onslow’s Nonet. Nicknamed the ‘French Beethoven’, this is a chance to hear one of his finest and largest-scale chamber works whose five movements move through an expressive array of moods from turbulence to a jubilant conclusion.

Steven Isserlis then joins pianist Tim Horton for a heartfelt lament by Gabriel Fauré, before we sign off with Tchaikovsky's celebratory musical postcard, Souvenir de Florence. This hugely popular string sextet by the great Russian composer features both Steven Isserlis and Ensemble 360’s cellist Gemma Rosefield, and promises to be a fitting farewell to the Festival in our anniversary year.

Note from Guest Curator, Steven Isserlis

“George Onslow, grandson of the first Earl of Onslow, is an interesting figure, straddling the twin worlds of London and Paris. Almost killed in a hunting accident - an incident which inspired his best-known work, a string quintet subtitled ’The Bullet’ - he sounds like a lively character, whose music was admired by Chopin. Tchaikovsky - who praised the piano quartet by Fauré that opened this festival - closes our programme with his irresistibly celebratory Souvenir de Florence. Party time!”

Part of Sheffield Chamber Music Festival 2024
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