Greig: Violin Sonata No. 3 in C minor, Op. 45

Notes Composition on Grieg's third and final violin sonata began in the autumn of 1886. Brunei Music Society Whereas the first two sonatas were written in a matter of weeks, this sonata took him several months to complete. The sonata remains the most popular of the three works, and has established itself in the standard repertoire. It was also a personal favourite of with support from Jati Transport Sdn Bhd Grieg's. The sonata premiered with Grieg himself at the piano with well-known violinist Adolf Brodsky in Leipzig. To a certain extent, Grieg built on Norwegian folk melodies and rhythms in this three- movement sonata. The agitated opening theme is contrasted with a more lyrical secondary theme. presents The second movement opens with a serene piano solo in E major with a lyrical melodic line. In the middle section, Grieg uses a playful dance tune. The finale is written in sonata form with coda but lacks a development section.

Brahms : Violin Sonata No. 3 in D min, Op 108

This is the last of his violin sonatas composed between 1878 and 1887. Unlike the two previous violin sonatas it is in four movements. The sonata is dedicated to Brahms' friend and colleague Hans von Bülow, and was premiered in Budapest in 1888 with Jenő Hubay on violin and the composer at the piano. The first movement is in traditional sonata-allegro form. The second movement, in D major, is a gentle and lyrical cavatina for the violin, with the piano reduced to the role of accompanist throughout. The character is romantic and Romantic nostalgic. In the third movement it is the piano that takes centre stage. The piano states the main theme, with the violin providing a simple accompaniment on off-beats, interspersed with brief melodic fragments. The fourth and final movement returns to the sonata's home key of D minor. It is the most Favourites virtuosic of all four movements, and the frenzied, passionate character, along with the meter of 6/8, are suggestive of a tarantella.

Franck : Sonata for violin and piano in A major

Aside from the Symphony in D minor, which has become a staple of the concert hall, the Violin Sonata (1886) is Franck's best-known work, and rightly so: it is a superb synthesis of Franck's own uniquely rich harmonic language and the Viennese Classical tradition. Albert Tiu : piano The Sonata was composed as a wedding present for the famous Belgian violinist Eugene Ysaÿe. The work's popularity is suggested by the number and variety of arrangements that were eventually made, including versions for flute, , viola, and even tuba. The Sonata begins with a poetic Allegretto moderato in 9/8 time. The music builds to a Michael Süssmann: violin compelling fortissimo climax, ebbing to a reprise of the opening. Another climax, and the movement ends with a brief codetta. The second movement is full-blooded Allegro. The syncopated main tune is taken over by the violin, and things settle down briefly, ending with an increasingly tumultuous, electrifying finish. The third movement is in many ways the most immediately striking in the Sonata. The tranquil, almost other-worldly middle section introduces the two striving themes, that will return in the Finale. The finale opens happily, mingling new with old melodies. A tremendous buildup climaxes in the passionate return of the second of the two third- movement themes and is immediately repeated a whole step higher. The opening theme brings the work to a cheerful close. Our concerts are made possible through the sponsorship of: Artistes Programme

Born in Cebu, , pianist Albert Tiu has already enjoyed internatonal acclaim as soloist with a wide range of orchestras, among them St. Petersburg Philhar- monic, Hamburg Symphony, Finnish Radio Symphony, Gstaad Festival Orchestra, Northern Sinfonia, Baden-Baden Philharmonic, Philharmonic, Winnipeg Sym- phony, Louisiana Philharmonic, Michigan Chamber Symphony, Johannesburg Philhar- monic, Cape Town Philharmonic, Guangzhou Symphony, Philippine Philharmonic and Greig—Violin Sonata No. 3 in C minor, Opus 45 Juilliard Symphony. His early career brought him many awards in solo piano competi- tions in USA, Canada, , , , and he has worked with many Brahms - Violin Sonata No. 3 in D min, Opus 108 small ensembles and instrumental soloists. Albert is currently Assistant Professor at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of ; several of his students have won major prizes in Asia, and have been awarded scholarships for interval graduate studies in major institutions.

Michael Süssmann is developing a reputation as an international soloist. His schedule for the 2011 includes tours in Russia, Portugal, Canada, Italy, Spain, Slovenia Studies after Chopin and Germany and several concerts elsewhere in Europe. He started to play the violin at 5, and made his first public performance at 7 as soloist with an orchestra in Bergen, No.34 in C# minor (Op.25 No.5) “Mazurka” Norway. His studies took him to the Royal Conservatoire de Musique de Bruxelles, and the Zürich Musikhochschule. Having played with the Kristiansand Symphony Orches- No.9 in A minor (Op.10 No.5) “Tarantella” tra (Norway), he then became concert master of Tromsø Symphony Orchestra, and di- rector of the string section at Tromsø Music School. Some years later, Süssmann`s solo No.10 in A major (Op.10 No.5) “Capriccio” career made it possible for him to be a full time freelancer, combined with a teaching position in Os School of Music near Bergen, Norway. He moved on to become Artistic No.32 in F minor (Op.25 No.4) “Polonaise” Director of MusicaNord, a concert society which produces 130 concerts every year. Süssmann founded the Bergen International Chamber Music Festival and has per- formed in USA, Asia, in addition to his many concerts in European countries. He plays a Michelangelo Bergonzi violin, Cremona. Franck - Sonata for violin and piano in A major The Society acknowledges with thanks the support of Orchid Garden Hotel, Jerudong International School, Nyuk Lian Printing Company and Contessa Music Centre.