Folklore is always a source of inspiration for classical composers: shepherd’s flutes are heard in several baroque Oratorios, Beethoven wrote a pile of country dances, and Brahms adored Gypsy music greatly. Later, from the 19th century onwards, folk music also became a tool for nationalistic movements, especially for composers outside western Europe. Chopin, Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, Sibelius or Bartok, for instance, display their national identities by knitting folklore elements with classical compositions: symphony, concerto, sonata or suite.

The first half of the programme is a collection of short characteristic pieces by Manuel de Falla (Spain), Ernst von Dohnányi (Hungary) and Sulchan Zinzadse (Georgia). Their names may not stand in the front row of the most well-known composers, but they are incomparable masters who could transform folk music of their home countries into a luxury concert repertoire. Each piece reveals a somewhat exotic musical language, furthermore, the simultaneous contrast between solemn and barbaric expressions ensures that this enigmatic programme is an unforgettable concert experience.

Edvard Grieg, regarded as Chopin of the north, composed his only sonata for cello and piano in 1883, when his fame as a composer and pianist was already established throughout Europe. Grieg elaborately included Norwegian folk tunes in every theme of this sonata. However, they do not only represent the dark, icy Nordic landscapes. Each movement of the sonata also stimulates patriotic feelings, akin to what one feels while singing the national anthem!

Musicians:

Ekachai Maskulrat, cello

Ekachai started his musical journey in Bangkok, Thailand and went on to Singapore, USA and currently is based in Basel, Switzerland. He is founding cellist with various ensembles from early music to rock and contemporary music, such as Sonorità, Girandola Quartett, Ensemble Van der Waals and Cell of Hell. Since 2012 he has been playing regularly as both principal and tutti cellist in Kammerorchester Basel, Basel Sinfonietta, Kammerorchester I Tempi, Geneva Camerata, Gstaad Festival Orchester, le Cercle de l’Harmonie, les Musiciens du Louvre, and Balthasar Neumann Ensemble.

Siwat Chuencharoen, piano

Siwat Chuencharoen was born in Bangkok where he studied economics before he moved to Switzerland and dedicated himself to piano studies at Hochschule der Künste in Bern. He got a Ph.D. in musicology from Universität Bern. Siwat is active as a pianist, accompanist and organist. Furthermore, he is a piano teacher at Musikschule Konservatorium Zürich and Musikschule Köniz. In his free time, he is an opera aficionado.