A chamber orchestra from the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra presents a beautiful blend of music with a fragrance of La Belle Époque. Enjoy nostalgic music, such as delights from Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, and Couperin’s lovely piece for harpsichord, Les Barricades Mystérieuses. Sounds from the new twentieth century are also heard, such as Vaughan Williams’ Piano Quintet, and Fauré’s Cello Sonata No. 1, transcribed here for double bass.
The orchestra is led by the two concertmasters Sara Trobäck and Justyna Jara.
Paris during La Belle Époque was an idyllic meeting place for composers, poets and writers. After long and difficult wars, France entered an era of peace from the late nineteenth century until World War I broke out in 1914. It was a light-hearted time characterised by financial growth and faith in the future. People enjoyed the good in life.
France’s own Gabriel Fauré was often on the programme in French salons. Here, we hear a bittersweet piece by Fauré from 1917, in which the ageing composer looks back in search of lost time.
