That pianist Francois-Frederic Guy is a bona fide Beethoven aficionado was evident last year when he amazed audiences at the Embassy of France by performing the complete Beethoven sonata cycle for piano.
This year, he returns with cellist Marc Coppey to boldly present Beethoven’s complete piano and cello sonatas played during two intensive evenings.
Friday’s grand finale features this dynamic duo taking on Beethoven’s Sonata in C major No. 4, Opus 102, the Sonata in D major No 5, Op. 102, the Sonata in A major, No. 3, Opus 69 and Variations in E flat major on Mozart’s “Bei Mannern,” WoO 46.
“This year is part of a flowing project,” Guy said. “Next year we will do the violin sonatas; then in two years, three of us come back to do the trios.”
Short of performing Beethoven’s concertos with a full orchestra, Guy, along with his cello and violin colleagues, will have performed every combination of the prolific composer’s sonatas. And while the artist describes Beethoven as “the alpha and omega of music,” he also has a special affinity for the music of Bartok, Brahms, Liszt and Prokofiev, as well as a strong commitment to contemporary modern music.
“This [evening’s performance] is a very big challenge,” Guy said. “Last year I was alone [with] almost 600 pages of music. But to share the stage with a friend is, of course, much more comfortable and makes you less alone, you know?”
And Guy’s friend, Marc Coppey, who won the two highest awards given out at the 1988 Bach Competition in Leipzig, Germany, is considered among the leading cellists of the day. His choice of repertoire is both eclectic and innovative.
“Playing Beethoven is a joy,” Coppey said, adding that the composer’s work provides a musical connection among artists in Europe and America. “Coming to the States gives me a little fresh air to connect both sides of this world. Beethoven is a great link in that.”
Finale: Beethoven’s Sonatas for Piano and Cello
» Where: La Maison Francais, Embassy of France, 4101 Reservoir Road NW
» When: 7 p.m. Friday
» Info: $25, $20 for students; instantseats.com
