Frank Braley & Abel Hox

The world-renowned pianist Frank Braley, laureate of the 1991 Queen Elisabeth Competition and acclaimed for his humour, poetic sensibility, and unwavering integrity, shares the stage with his pupil Abel Hox, in residence at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel since 2024. Together, they present a program where intimate lyricism meets revolutionary rhythms.

Intimate Sounds

In two solo pieces by Chopin and Debussy, the pianists display their mastery of nuance and tone colour. Chopin’s Barcarolle, a melodious gondolier’s song, exudes romantic lyricism through the flowing left-hand accompaniment and subtle ornamentation. Debussy’s La Cathédrale Engloutie exemplifies musical impressionism: the prelude depicts a submerged cathedral, based on an ancient Breton legend, built on two fundamental motifs. Harmonies and motifs bring the slowly emerging cathedral vividly to life, making the work a compelling example of program music.

Storming Rhythms

The iconic Sacre du Printemps is among the most revolutionary works of the twentieth century. This ballet music, here in a four-hand piano arrangement written by Stravinsky himself, consists of two parts. It tells the story of a young maiden who dances herself to death as an offering to the god of Spring and is renowned for its raw power and rhythmic intensity, in this instance coming alive in an intimate chamber music setting. The original 1913 premiere caused uproar among dancers and musicians alike due to its unusual rhythms and sudden tempo shifts.

Those eager to delve deeper into this thrilling music can explore Stravinsky’s rhythmic world in a musical introduction with Frank and Abel before the concert.

Flagey, Music Chapel