ConcertPulse
International Mendelssohn Festival 2024
Elbphilharmonie, Kleiner Saal (Hamburg)
The title of the evening alludes to Proust’s novel cycle »In Search of Lost Time«. The sonata by the fictional composer Vinteuil, whose »little phrase« reminds the novel’s character Charles Swann of his love Odette de Crécy, poses the riddle of who the real-life inspiration behind the Vinteuil Sonata is. The name César Franck is often mentioned. Whether the little phrase really comes from Franck’s violin sonata will remain forever unclear. What is certain, however, is that Franck created one of the most beautiful works in the genre with his Sonata in A major.