ABOUT THE MUSIC

Frederic Chopin

Grande Valse Brilliante, Op. 18

Polish composer Frederic Chopin was one of the most prolific and best known writers for piano in the 19th century. Despite emigrating to France, many of his works maintained a nationalistic quality. He is known for embracing dance forms (particularly those of Polish origin) in his solo piano works, with some of his most famous works being his Polonaises, Scherzi, Mazurkas and of course, Waltzes. He had previously penned or drafted at least 16 waltzes, all of which were discarded or burned, before publishing his first waltz, the Grand Valse Brillante Op.18 (1833). It was dedicated to his student, Laura Horsford, and is certainly one of his more virtuosic works in the genre, perhaps designed to show off or challenge her technique. The piece consists of a series of smaller waltzes of contrasting characters, bound by a loose form in which the original dance returns at the end, followed by a short coda full of fireworks.

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Fanny Mendelssohn 

Lied in F# major, Op. 6 No. 3

Born into a wealthy family in Germany, Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn both exhibited significant musical aptitude from a young age, and were beneficiaries of some of the best teaching available at the time. However, unlike her brother Felix, Fanny’s musical talent was not encouraged as a vocation by her father, and it was not until after her marriage that she took more seriously to performing and composing, with the encouragement of her husband. Many of her early compositions (mostly lieder for voice and piano) were included in sets by Felix and published under his name, and it was not until 1846, the year before her death, that a small number of works were first released to the public under her own name. The Op.6 Lieder for piano are one of these sets that she submitted to the publisher, though sadly she never lived to see it printed. The third of this set is a beautiful little poem in F# major, displaying her clear talents for melodic writing and subtle harmonic inflection.

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Franz Schubert

Sonata in Bb major, D. 960

1) Molto moderato

2) Andante sostenuto

3) Scherzo: Allergro vivace con delicatezza - Trio 

4) Allegro ma non troppo - Presto 

In stark contrast, much of Franz Schubert’s life was plagued by illness and poverty. His final Sonata, D.960 was completed less than two months before his death in 1828 from syphilis, with which he had been struggling for over 5 years. It was his final major instrumental work and to me shows Schubert grappling with his impending demise. The four movements take place over a large scale, with soaring melodies and long lines that seem almost timeless. An expositional first movement precedes the devastatingly beautiful slow movement in C# minor, a surprisingly light and recognisably Schubertian Scherzo before closing the work with a flurry of emotions in the finale. There are constant undertones of reflection and memorial throughout the work, but it has an underlying sense of hope and contentment.

Program Notes © Laurence Matheson

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ABOUT THE ARTISTS

One of Australia’s most exciting young musicians, Laurence Matheson is in demand across the country as a soloist, chamber musician and collaborative pianist. He studied at the Australian National Academy of Music with Timothy Young as one of their youngest ever students and became a Fellow of the Academy in 2016 after winning the Directors’ Prize.

Laurence is regularly broadcast on ABC Classic and 3MBS FM, and has appeared as soloist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria and the Australian Ballet, as well as in recital at the Melbourne Recital Centre and Sydney Opera House. His festival appearances include the Bendigo, Dunkeld, Brisbane Baroque, Music by the Springs and Melbourne Festivals and he was invited to perform alongside many of Australia’s greatest musicians at the Melbourne Recital Centre’s 10th Anniversary Gala concert. He records for Decca Classics and ABC Classic.

Laurence has a particular passion for chamber music and has performed with the Aurora Ensemble, Anthony Marwood, the Australian String Quartet and Kathryn Stott, while his regular duo partners include Suyeon Kang, Grace Clifford, Dale Barltrop, Sophie Rowell, and Tim Young. He is also a mentor and pianist for many of Australia’s promising young violinists, including Decca Artist Christian Li and Edward Walton, as well as appearing in recital with some of Australia and the world’s top musicians.

Aside from piano, Laurence has also play-directed multiple concerto projects from the keyboard, is an accomplished harpsichordist and was commissioned to write for Victorian Opera’s 2012 production of Cinderella during studies with Richard Gill.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SUPPORT

Laurence Matheson's appearance in the 2023 festival is supported by Loris Orthwein.

Brisbane Music Festival is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

Brisbane Music Festival is assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body.

Brisbane Music Festival receives funds from Creative Partnership Australia through the Australian Cultural Fund.
With thanks to the many generous individuals that have support the 2023 Brisbane Music Festival.

BMF TEAM

Max Shearer | Front of House, Operations Assistant.

Special thanks to Michele Raineri and Lynne Cannell for incredible volunteer work.