This program features the music of two great composers, Ukrainian Valentyn Silvestrov and Russian Dmitri Shostakovich, whose artistic perspectives were shaped by political events in their homelands. Silvestrov fled Kyiv in 2022, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Shostakovich struggled throughout his life with censorship by Stalin’s regime in the Soviet Union.
Silvestrov’s Three Intermezzos and Triptych were written for Ettore Causa and Boris Berman, and the works will receive their New York premiere in this concert. Shostakovich’s Sonata for Viola and Piano is his final work, his musical farewell, completed only a month before his death in 1975.
Both Silvestrov and Shostakovich transcend the enormous challenges of their life experiences and write music that is filled with humanity, enlightenment, and profound beauty.
VALENTYN SILVESTROV: Three Intermezzos for piano (2022—New York Premiere)
VALENTYN SILVESTROV: Triptych for viola and piano (2023—New York Premiere)
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH: Sonata for viola and piano, op. 147 (1975)
All details subject to change.
Ettore Causa, an Italian-born violist awarded both the P. Schidlof Prize and the J. Barbirolli Prize for “the most beautiful sound” at the prestigious Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition in England in 2000, is praised for his exceptional artistry, passionate intelligence and complete musicianship. He has made solo and recital appearances in major venues around the world, such as Carnegie Hall, Zurich Tonhalle, Salle Cortot, Teatro Colon, Menuhin and Salzburg festival, etc. Causa has recorded many highly-regarded CDs, including Romantic Transcriptions for Viola and Piano which was awarded a prestigious “5 Diapasons” by the French magazine Diapason and the one with Brahms works that was given the distinguished “CHOC de Classica” award by France’s esteemed Classica magazine. Ettore Causa was one of the honored special guests at the 43rd International Viola Congress and the British Viola Society has awarded him an Honorary Membership in recognition of his enormous contribution to the viola community. Mr. Causa joined the faculty of the Yale School of Music in 2009.
Boris Berman regularly performs in more than fifty countries on six continents. His highly acclaimed performances have included appearances with leading orchestras, on major recital series, and important festivals. Born in Moscow, he studied at Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory with the distinguished pianist Lev Oborin. Presently, he heads the Piano Department of Yale School of Music and conducts master classes throughout the world. He has been named an Honorary Professor of Shanghai Conservatory, of the Danish Royal Conservatory in Copenhagen, and of the China Conservatory in Beijing. He is frequently invited to join juries of various international competitions. A Grammy nominee, Mr. Berman has recorded all solo piano works by Prokofiev and Schnittke, complete sonatas by Scriabin, works by Mozart, Weber, Schumann, Brahms, Chopin, Franck, Shostakovich, Debussy, Stravinsky, Berio, Cage, and Joplin. Recently French label Le Palais des Degustateurs released a double CD retrospective of piano works by Ukrainian composer Valentyn Silvestrov. Berman is the author of 2 books: Notes from the Pianist’s Bench and Prokofiev’s Piano Sonatas: A Guide for the Listener and the Performer.
