Julia Blachuta &
Daniel King Smith

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Sonata No.9 in A Major, Op.47 ‘Kreutzer’ (Beethoven)

i Adagio sostenuto – Presto
ii Andante con variazioni
iii Presto

The Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47, by Ludwig van Beethoven, is an 1803 sonata for piano and violin notable for its technical difficulty, unusual length (around 40 minutes), and emotional scope. It is commonly known as the Kreutzer Sonata after the violinist Rodolphe Kreutzer, to whom it was ultimately dedicated, but who thoroughly disliked the piece and refused to play it.

Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

Sonata in G minor, L.140 (Debussy)

i Allegro vivo, ii Intermède, iii Finale: Très animé

This was Debussy’s last work, and it cost him dearly. Depression induced by war, with aggressive cancer causing debilitation and intense pain, this should have been a morose piece. But, inspired by the then little known baroque keyboard music of the likes of Couperin and Rameau, it is joyous – and all too short. Like Reger and Ysaӱe he was looking back to find renewal. If you think of cats and kittens as you listen to this, you won’t be alone.

Performers

Julia Blachuta - Violin

Julia Blachuta is a Polish violinist. At the age of twelve she made her debut with ‘’Fresco Sonare” Orchestra, playing Wieniawski’s second Violin Concerto. At the age of seventeen Julia was a graduate of a three years pre-college program at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna simultaneously doing both her music and general high schools in Cracow, Poland. Since 2020, Julia has been studying at Royal College of Music in London with legendary professor Itzhak Rashkovsky on a full scholarship as a recipient of the HDM Meyer Violin Prize award. She is a laureate of a dozen international and national violin competitions (Grand Prix at the CEA National Chamber Audition, 2nd place at the 3rd Jadwiga Kaliszewska International Violin Competition in Poznan, 4th place at the Groblicz Family National Violin Competition in Krakow).

Daniel King Smith - Piano

Daniel King Smith has given concerts all over the world as both soloist and accompanist. He has been broadcast on both BBC TV/Radio in the UK (In Tune, Proms, Young Musician of the Year) and NHK TV/Radio in Japan, most recently in recital with Yuki Ito as part of NHK’s “Best of Classic” and “Classic Club” series. Daniel has recorded a number of CDs, including releases with Yuki Ito for Sony and with Anna Hashimoto on the Meridian label. As a soloist, Daniel’s extensive concerto repertoire has lead to many concerts in the UK and around Europe. He has frequently been a featured Solo Classical Artist on many Cruise lines around the world.