Program

Performing from Gustav Mahler Hall, Toblach, Dolomiten, Italy

Handel: Sinfonia in B flat major HWV 339

Babell: Prelude Presto in F major

Babel/Handel: Lascia ch’io pianga (solo harpsichord)

Leclair: Trio Sonata in D minor Op.4/1

Guignon: Les Sauvages et La Fustenburg  (two violins)

Telemann: Trio Sonata in E flat from Tafelmusik

Corelli: Chaconne

About the Artists

Johannes Pramsohler, Roldán Bernabé [violins],
Gulrim Choi [cello],
Philippe Grisvard [harpsichord]

Described as “the ensemble for Baroque chamber music” by the German MDR and praised for its “warm tonal brilliance and razor-sharp definition” by Gamophone Magazine, Ensemble Diderot established itself in recent years as one of the foremost European chamber music groups performing exclusively on period instruments. The French music magazine Classica qualified them as “splendidly prepared to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Musica Antiqua Köln.” The ensemble's core consists of four musicians around violinist and founder Johannes Pramsohler, who devote themselves to the exploration and performance of the baroque chamber music repertoire. The ensemble is based in Paris and owes its name to the French author, thinker, and philosopher Denis Diderot. It dedicates itself primarily to the inexhaustible heritage of trio sonatas, quartets and larger ensemble sonatas of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

Johannes Pramsohler [violin, director]

Born in South Tyrol and now living in Paris, baroque violinist Johannes Pramsohler has in recent years become one of the most versatile representatives of his profession. As artistic director and first violin of the Ensemble Diderot, which he founded in 2008, he brings to life unknown repertoire with great precision and a keen sense for significant rarities. The ensemble’s debut recording of chamber music from the Dresden court of August the Strong received international acclaim. As soloist, Johannes recently performed with the Budapest Festival Orchestra under Iván Fischer, with the Taiwan Baroque Orchestra, the Helsinki Baroque Orchestra and the Darmstädter Barocksolisten. Recitals with chamber music partners such as Philippe Grisvard (harpsichord) and Jadran Duncumb (lute) take him to Europe’s concert halls on a regular basis. His first solo CD, of world premiere recordings of violin concertos from Dresden, was nominated for the International Classical Music Award.

About West Cork Chamber Music Festival

The West Cork Chamber Music Festival takes place annually in Bantry, County Cork. For ten days, from the last Friday in June, a world-class line-up of international ensembles and soloists perform an extensive programme of concerts which run from morning to late night. The two main venues are the intimate library of the historic Bantry House, which overlooks Bantry Bay; and St Brendan’s Church in the centre of Bantry. The Festival also includes a full schedule of performance workshops and masterclasses with resident student ensembles, composition workshops, public talks with artists as well as exhibitions and demonstrations from instrument makers.

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