A masterpiece and an unknown work

Composed seven years apart (Franck in 1879, Strohl in 1886), the two piano quintets in this concert’s programme have had quite dissimilar fates. Franck’s Quintet was premiered confidentially at the Société Nationale de Musique in January 1880 (with Camille Saint-Saëns at the piano), but over the years it established itself as its composer’s major work – a manifesto of cyclical form and a demonstration of musical architecture. The Grande Fantaisie-Quintette by the young Rita Strohl has never been published and probably never even played in public. Between an undisputed masterpiece and an absolute rarity, the evening promises some unprecedented emotions for the audience.