Lyrical Masterpieces: Doretta Balkizas and Brieley Cutting

In this special collaboration, pianist Brieley Cutting and acclaimed violinist Doretta Balkizas present a recital centring on major classics from the French and German repertory. All masterworks on the program are linked by their glowing, radiant sounds and uplifting moods. Doretta joins Brieley in a program curated to offer music bestowed with inherent beauty and lyrical charm.

The first part of the recital comes from France: Debussy’s shimmering Violin and Piano Sonata is followed by Lili Boulanger’s delicately heart-warming Two Pieces, and then Messiaen’s Theme and Variations, which is built on a tender and lyrical idea consisting of a floating melody.

The second half of the program commences with an atmospheric Nocturne from Australian composer Margaret Sutherland, offering a moment of poignant introspection. The recital then moves to Germany for Brahms’ Sonata No.1 in G major Op.78 for Violin and Piano. A Romantic masterpiece of exquisite beauty and lyricism, the three movements of this work are interrelated, and Brahms expertly allows the violin and piano parts to echo one another and intertwine whilst demanding virtuosity from both players. The final movement is known to transport its listeners, as it did for Clara Schumann who wrote to the composer, “…I wish that the last movement could accompany me in my journey from here to the next world.”

Program:

• Claude Debussy – Sonata in G minor for Violin and Piano (1917)

• Lili Boulanger – Deux Morceaux for Violin and Piano, Nocturne & Cortège (1914)

• Olivier Messiaen – Thème et Variations for Violin and Piano (1932)

• Interval

• Margaret Sutherland – Nocturne (1944)

• Johannes Brahms – Sonata No.1 in G major Op.78 for Violin and Piano (1879)

The artists:

Doretta Balkizas – violin

After being recently based in Germany for ten years, Australian violinist Doretta Balkizas has recently returned to Australia as the newly appointed Lecturer in Violin at the School of Music, University of Queensland.

As a performer, Doretta leads a varied life as soloist, chamber and orchestral musician. In recent seasons, she has performed, recorded and toured in various ensembles, including with the London Symphony Orchestra, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and she has held the position of associate principal second violin with the Bremer Philharmoniker.

Brieley Cutting – piano

Described as “such a force!” (Tempo Rubato), “technically assured with excellent control of the keyboard” (Courier Mail), and as a musician who has “at her disposal a myriad of different colours and who knows how to take the time to let the music speak” (Auckland Scoop), Brieley Cutting is known for bringing her trademark energy and refinement to a career encompassing solo and collaborative performance, event curation, arts promotion and practice-focused research.

Brieley currently enjoys teaching a private studio of students, collaborating with Sydney Conservatorium students, and realising musical projects with like-minded colleagues.

Due to health reasons, the originally scheduled violinist, Kristian Winther, had to withdraw from the performance. We are, however, delighted to announce that violinist Doretta Balkizas will be joining pianist Brieley Cutting.