Close-up: Pierre-Emmanuel de Maistre

For many years now, Concertgebouworkest musicians have been performing their own programmes in the Recital Hall. The intimate Close-up chamber music concerts are organised by the Friends of the Concertgebouw and the Concertgebouworkest. The concerts performed here are given only once and can be heard nowhere else!

With a number of his Concertgebouworkest colleagues, the double bassist Pierre-Emmanuel de Maistre is showcasing the unexpectedly lyrical facets of his instrument. Schubert’s brilliant String Quintet in C major is preceded by works by Rossini and Bottesini.

Franz Schubert wrote only one string quintet, and it is a work of symphonic proportions. Schubert hoped for a performance, and rehearsals were already under way, but it wasn’t meant to be. His publisher was not in favour, as Schubert was taken seriously only as a composer of songs and piano music. Two months afterwards, Schubert died. Over half a century later, the String Quintet in C major was published and established its well-earned place in the canon. The work is now considered to be a high point of the chamber music repertoire.

The concert begins with the Duetto for cello and double bass by Rossini, who long served as an important model for Schubert. Originally for two double basses, the Gran duo concertante by Giovanni Bottesini, who was known as ‘the Paganini of the double bass’, is heard here in a popular version for violin, double bass and strings.