KAVAKOS AND TRIFONOV USHER IN SPRING
FOR INTIMATE CHAMBER PROGRAM
On an unseasonably warm late spring afternoon, Symphony Center buzzed with anticipation as the crowd waited for Russian pianist Daniil Trifonov and Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos to begin their scheduled performance. The two men, dressed all in black, unceremoniously walked onstage and began playing Beethoven’s Sonata No. 4 for Violin and Piano in A Minor, Op. 23. The stormy and thrilling Presto movement soon gave way to a lilting, playful Andante scherzoso before finishing with a tumulous Allegro molto. It was an attention-grabbing beginning to a beautiful concert program.
The first half continued with a far more challenging, dissonant, and less melodic piece by François Poulenc, composed during the German occupation of his native France. The Sonata for Violin and Piano, Op. 119, found Kavakos plucking and double stopping frequently, while Trifonov managed frequent rhythmic changes in a somewhat frenzied, percussive manner. After the fiery Allegro con fuoco, the piece took a more introspective and brooding turn in the Intermezzo. Finally, the Presto tragico incorporated folk elements reminiscent of French carnival music.
After a brief intermission, the understated duo returned to the stage for a similarly programmed second half. It too began with an easier, more melodic piece before switching to something more modern and challenging, yet folksy. Brahms’ Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano in G Major, Op. 78 brought out Kavakos’s and Trifonov’s most delicate and legato playing of the concert, perhaps with the exception of the encore. In jarring contrast, Brahms’ late Romantic sonata was followed by Bartók’s Rhapsody No. for Violin and Piano (Folk Dances). This involved a lot of choppy hacking away at the violin, which Kavakos admitted was bad for his instrument in the Q&A following the concert. He plays the “Willemotte” Stradivarius made in 1734.
Kavakos and Trifonov seem comfortable and at ease with one another, sharing hugs before each bow. They finished off the concert with the Andantino from Schubert’s Violin Sonata No. 4 in A Major (Grand Duo), which was a calming, gentle note to end on. It was fascinating to watch each man play. Trifonov read music the entire time, while Kavakos kept an iPad ready on a music stand, but did not appear to need it, except for the final encore. We learned during the Q&A that, for Trifonov, the music was all new, while Kavakos had played it all before. Both men are incredibly accomplished musicians and this chamber music program showcased their talent in a wonderfully intimate way.
photos by Todd Rosenberg Photography, courtesy of CSO
Leonidas Kavakos, violin
Daniil Trifonov, piano
presented by Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.
reviewed on March 9, 2025
for more shows, call 312-294-3000 or visit CSO
