A celebration of romantic chamber music: the "Sonata Marathon" in the Diana Hall of Engers Castle is a concert evening filled with virtuoso string sonatas. International soloists will perform masterpieces by Brahms, Franck, Grieg, Schumann, and Poulenc.
The gala concert on Pentecost Sunday brings together a number of outstanding musicians for a musical marathon of great string sonatas. The focus is on works from the Romantic period and the early 20th century that showcase the expressive power of the violin, cello, and piano in all their facets.
Italian violinist Giulia Rimonda opens the evening with Johannes Brahms' lyrical Sonata in A major, Op. 100, often referred to as the "Love and Song Sonata." This is followed by César Franck's passionate Violin Sonata in A major, a highlight of the Romantic repertoire. Albanian cellist Klaudio Zoto then presents Edvard Grieg's spirited Cello Sonata in A minor and Robert Schumann's poetic "Fantasy Pieces."
Ukrainian violinist Erika Cherkez adds further highlights to the program with Johannes Brahms' Third Violin Sonata in D minor, characterized by Hungarian-influenced passion, and Francis Poulenc's haunting Violin Sonata, which can be understood as a musical statement against war and violence.
Two outstanding pianists accompany on the piano: Villa Musica scholarship holder and Grotrian Prize winner Gabriel Yeo and Italian pianist Jacopo Giovannini, master student of Boris Kusnezow. Together they create an intense chamber music evening that impressively brings to life the diversity and emotional depth of the great sonata literature.
May 23 and 25, 2026
