Kreutzer Sonata

At the 2024 Queen Elisabeth Competition, violinist Joshua Brown made a profound impression with his performance of Beethoven’s Seventh Sonata, earning him a well-deserved Second Prize. For this concert, he and pianist Elodie Vignon have chosen a true classic from Beethoven’s oeuvre: the Kreutzer Sonate. This milestone in the chamber music repertoire is powerful, tempestuous and irresistibly compelling. The duo opens the evening with a sophisticated contrast: Debussy’s Sonata for violin and piano. A gem from the final phase of his life, in which clarity and sensitivity to sound come together seamlessly. To bridge the gap between Debussy’s French subtlety and Beethoven’s fiery drama, Brown and Vignon chose a composer who alternates with remarkable ease between both worlds: Leoš Janáček. His music exudes lyricism, wonder and unbridled power all at once. Programme Ludwig van Beethoven, Sonata nr. 9, op. 47, KreutzerClaude Debussy, Sonata for violin and piano, L. 140Leoš Janáček, Sonata for violin and piano, JW VII/7 Bio American violinist Joshua Brown (born in 1999) gained international recognition following his impressive performance at the 2024 Queen Elisabeth Competition, where he won Second Prize and became a crowd favourite. He met Elodie Vignon shortly after the Elisabeth Competition, and since then they have formed a close-knit duo who have performed at numerous venues across Belgium. ------------------------------ Laureate of the Queen Elisabeth Competition 150 years ago, Queen Elisabeth was born—a remarkable monarch with a deep passion for music and culture. Her name lives on through the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition, which is also celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. This season, 30CC is putting no fewer than five memorable laureates in the spotlight.