DUO FABULAE + VIOLIN
Distant thoughts
MIKHAIL GLINKA (1804 – 1857) 10'
Three Russian Songs / violin, viola and piano
I. Moderato
II. Moderato
III. Andante mosso
ARVO PÄRT (1935 – ) 12'
Fratres / violin and piano
REBECCA CLARKE (1886 – 1975) 10'
Dumka / violin, viola and piano
SERGEI PROKOFIEV (1895 - 1953) 8'
Romeo & Juliet / arr. Borisovsky for viola and piano
I. Mercutio
II. Balcony scene
DIMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH (1906 – 1975) 11'
Five Pieces / arr. for violin, viola and piano
I. Prelude, from The Gadfly, Op. 97
II. Gavotte, from the 3rd Ballet Suite
III. Elegy, from the 3rd Ballet Suite
IV. Waltz, from The Tale of the Priest and His Servant Balada, Op. 36
V. Polka, from the 1st Ballet Suite
DURATION
51 minutes
GUEST ARTIST
Julia Loucks, violin
Duo Fabulae
Lorena Cantó, viola
Yvain Calvo, piano
ABOUT THIS CONCERT
Step into a realm where the evocative melodies and enchanting rhythms intertwine, presenting an evening of Distant Thoughts. Dumka, a musical piece which also translates into “thought,” forms the thematic heart of our concert, encapsulating the depth and introspection inherent in slavic music and dance. As we journey through soul-stirring folk songs and spirited dances, we explore the emotional landscape where longing, reflection, and contemplation converge. Each note and movement echoes with a sense of nostalgia, inviting the audience to immerse themselves in the universal themes of human experience. Tonight’s performance is a tribute to the intricate tapestry of emotions woven into the fabric of cultural heritage, where Dumka serves as a guiding thread, linking distant thoughts and heartfelt expressions through music and dance.
DUO FABULAE / VIOLA & PIANO
Duo Fabulae is a viola and piano ensemble based in London. Founded in 2020, they have won several competitions and perform in the UK and across Europe. Their programming is often based around storytelling and includes their own arrangements of musical works. In 2022, the duo made its appearance on Spanish National Radio with a performance of the Frank Bridge Cello Sonata.
After their studies at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, both components combine their commitment to the duo with an active career as performers and teachers in a wide range of settings. Some of the renowned venues they have performed in as individuals includes the Wigmore Hall, Barbican Centre, Konzerthaus Berlin (Germany) and the Palau de la Música de Valencia (Spain).
Duo Fabulae are recipients of the Guildhall Futures Fund 2022.
JULIA LOUCKS / VIOLIN
Born in Montréal, Canadian violinist Julia Loucks has received international critical acclaim as a member of the Jubilee String Quartet, and regularly performs and records with ensembles including the United Strings of Europe, Chamber Orchestra of London, and the Welsh National Opera. The Jubilee Quartet’s recording of early and late Schubert string quartets (Rubicon Classics, 2023) received high praise from BBC Music and Gramophonemagazines: “Phenomenally precise…remarkable music-making” and ‘their playing yields to none in colouristic imagination.” She performs regularly on BBC Radio Three’s “In Tune” and can be heard on United Strings of Europe’s new release for Bis records, which features Strauss’ Verklärte Nacht. Julia’s performance career has taken her from Wigmore Hall to Dubai, Rabat, Chennai, and Hong Kong and has fuelled her passion for travel and culture. When she is not performing, Julia spends her time developing websites, hiking mountains, and training for triathlons.
