Both composers on this program hail from the land of instrumental color and elegance, France. After beginning piano at an early age, Camille Saint-Saëns became one of the top organists in the world. His Caprice on Danish and Russian Airs was composed for a tour to Russia and dedicated to the Empress Maria Feodorovna — born a Danish Princess. The work includes both Danish and Russian themes and impressed Anton Rubinstein enough to require his students to attend a performance. Inspired by the work of Saint-Saëns and his contemporaries, Ernest Chausson was one of a group of talented and skillful French composers whose work is not well known outside of France. His Concerto in D major combines the virtues of the solo concerto perfectly with those of chamber music: every part is important, the ensemble must work as a team, and yet, the solo violin and piano share a bright spotlight. Besides the work’s obvious structural ingenuity, it is above all a moving, thrilling work of great beauty and excitement.
French Treasures

Playlist
Camille Saint-Saëns: Caprice on Danish and Russian Airs for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, and Piano, Op. 79
Adam Walker, flute; James Austin Smith, oboe; David Shifrin, clarinet; Michael Stephen Brown, piano
Ernest Chausson: Concerto in D major for Violin, Piano, and String Quartet, Op. 21
Arnaud Sussmann, violin solo; Wu Han, piano; Kristin Lee, Yura Lee, violin; Richard O’Neill, viola; Nicholas Canellakis, cello