Belle Époque

Interpreters

Raphaela Gromes . Violoncello
Concertmaster direction
Stuttgarter Kammerorchester

Programme

Camille Saint-Saëns
Concerto for Violoncello No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33 (version for string orchestra)

Marie Jaëll
Concerto for Violoncello in F major

Piotr Iljitsch Tschaikowsky
String Serenade in C major, Op. 48

‘Always poetic, never ostentatious,’ but characterised by ‘wonderfully enchanting sound storytelling’ – this is how the Süddeutsche Zeitung describes Raphaela Gromes' playing. For several years now, the young cellist has been subtly making a name for herself performing music composed by women. In 2023, she caused a sensation with her album ‘Femmes’, on which she plays only works by female composers. In her programme ‘Belle Époque’ with the SKO, she now brings teacher and student together: she contrasts Saint-Saëns' first cello concerto with the recently rediscovered cello concerto by his composition student Marie Jaëll. Two cello concertos in one evening? Unusual. But with this special soloist, the unconventional becomes a revelation. The contrast is as striking as it is appealing, with a sound palette ranging from delicate reverie to fiery intoxication. And afterwards, Tchaikovsky's string serenade takes us even deeper into the sparkling splendour of the Belle Époque.