Violinist Madeleine Mitchell, “one of the UK’s liveliest musical forces” (The Times, London) returns to the iconic Craxton Studios after a successful California tour to perform Brahms and Beethoven with pianist Elektra Schmidt. Concert at 4pm will be followed by refreshments in the garden.

Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 10 in G Major, Op. 96

Ludwig van Beethoven's Violin Sonata No. 10 in G Major, Op. 96, marks a pivotal moment in his career. Composed between 1812 and 1813, this sonata was written for the famed violinist Pierre Rode and dedicated to Beethoven's patron, Archduke Rudolph. As the last of his violin sonatas, it showcases Beethoven's evolution towards a more lyrical and introspective style, contrasting with the heroic and turbulent character of his middle period works.

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

Johannes Brahms' Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108, stands as a testament to his mastery in the chamber music genre. Completed between 1886 and 1888, this sonata is the most dramatic and technically demanding of his three violin sonatas. It reflects Brahms' deep engagement with the emotional and structural possibilities of the sonata form.

www.MadeleineMitchell.com

www.elektraschmidt.com

Program Notes

Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 10 in G Major, Op. 96
Ludwig van Beethoven's Violin Sonata No. 10 in G Major, Op. 96, marks a pivotal moment in his career. Composed between 1812 and 1813, this sonata was written for the famed violinist Pierre Rode and dedicated to Beethoven's patron, Archduke Rudolph. As the last of his violin sonatas,
it showcases Beethoven's evolution towards a more lyrical and introspective style, contrasting with the heroic and turbulent character of his middle period works.
The sonata opens with a serene and expansive Allegro moderato, characterized by its melodic beauty and intricate interplay between violin and piano. The second movement, Adagio espressivo, offers a profound sense of calm, with its delicate phrasing and emotional depth. The playful Scherzo: Allegro follows, providing rhythmic vitality and lightness. The finale, marked Poco allegretto, unfolds as a theme with variations, demonstrating Beethoven's ingenuity in transforming a simple theme into a series of complex and diverse expressions.
An interesting anecdote from early performances of this sonata involves Rode himself. Beethoven tailored the piece to Rode's lyrical playing style, avoiding the fiery technical displays typical of his earlier sonatas. Despite Beethoven's efforts, Rode's performance received mixed reviews, as his technique was perceived as less vigorous than expected. Nonetheless, the sonata has since become a beloved staple of the violin repertoire, admired for its elegance and subtlety.

Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108
Johannes Brahms' Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108, stands as a testament to his mastery in the chamber music genre. Completed between 1886 and 1888, this sonata is the most dramatic and technically demanding of his three violin sonatas. It reflects Brahms' deep engagement with the emotional and structural possibilities of the sonata form.
The opening movement, Allegro, is marked by its intense passion and lyrical melancholy, with sweeping themes and complex interplay between the violin and piano. The Adagio that follows offers a poignant contrast, with its tender, song-like melodies and rich harmonic language. The
third movement, Un poco presto e con sentimento, provides a fleeting, scherzo-like character, full of grace and subtle rhythmic complexities. The sonata concludes with a fiery Presto agitato, a thrilling finale that showcases Brahms' ability to blend technical prowess with profound emotional expression.
A notable early performance of this sonata was given by violinist Jenö Hubay and pianist Clara Schumann, Brahms' close friend and confidante. Their interpretation was celebrated for its intensity and depth, capturing the sonata's contrasting moods and technical challenges. Brahms himself praised their performance, acknowledging the sonata's place as a significant work within his oeuvre.

Musician Bios
Madeleine Mitchell, violin
Madeleine Mitchell, described by The Times, London as “one of the UK’s liveliest musical forces”, has performed as solo violinist and chamber musician in 50 countries in a wide repertoire, frequently broadcast for radio and TV, in festivals including the BBC Proms. 2024 saw her make a major tour of Japan and return to the USA as well as directing the Red Violin festival and releasing a quartet album with the London Chamber Ensemble, highly praised. Her album, Violin Conversations premiere recordings of works with living UK/US composers, several written for her, was reviewed in The Telegraph: ‘Is Madeleine Mitchell the future of classical music? An album of subtle charm’.
Madeleine Mitchell has performed concertos including BBC National Orchestra of Wales with Edwin Outwater in a concerto written for her and Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending live for BBC Radio 3, the Czech and Polish Radio Symphony orchestras, Wurttemberg and Munich Chamber, Kiev Radio/TV, St Petersburg Philharmonic, the Royal Philharmonic and other London orchestras.
As a recording artist with a wide discography, Madeleine has been nominated for Grammy and BBC Music Awards. Her popular albums include Violin Songs, Violin Muse and FiddleSticks in a unique collaboration with percussion. She’s also championed early 20th century music including Grace Williams Chamber Music (no.2 in the Classical Charts), and the solo violin piece by Michael, Lord Berkeley featured on his album Collaborations – one of the Sunday Times best albums of 2024.
In recital Madeleine Mitchell represented Britain in the Canberra International Music Festival, UKinNY at Lincoln Center and for the Queen’s Jubilee in Rome. She has given recitals at Sydney Opera House, Seoul Center for the Arts – part of a 3 month world tour, in Vienna, Moscow, London’s Southbank Centre as well as Singapore, Wigmore Hall and for BBC Radio 3. She returns to the Noontime Concerts San Francisco 14 October 2025.
A highly creative artist, she devised the eclectic Red Violin, the first international festival celebrating the violin across the arts, Founder Patron Lord Menuhin (inspired by Le Violon Rouge paintings). She won a Royal Philharmonic Society Enterprise Award to make a short film with the V&A Fabergé exhibition and the live quartet concert she curated with the London Chamber Ensemble which she founded: https://youtu.be/J_ChAdTj4xA
Madeleine Mitchell won the Tagore Gold Medal as a Foundation Scholar at the Royal College of Music, where she is now a Professor, followed by the Fulbright/ITT Fellowship to study in New York for a Master’s Degree at the Eastman and Juilliard schools.
www.madeleinemitchell.com

Elektra Schmidt, piano
Award winning pianist Elektra Schmidt performs as solo artist and in chamber groups in the United States, France, Greece, and the United Kingdom. Notable recent engagements include performing as soloist with the Santa Rosa Symphony, the Golden Gate Symphony and the Bay Area’s Awesöme Orchestra.
As well as a flourishing performance career, Elektra curates for numerous festivals and art houses in Europe and San Francisco. She is the founder of Artist Migration, an organization dedicated to the integration and mobility of international artists.
After graduating summa cum laude from the National Conservatory of her native Greece, Elektra pursued her post-graduate studies in Paris at the Schola Cantorum and the Conservatoire Raoul Pugno under the guidance of distinguished pianist Lilia Boyadjieva. She received her master’s degree with First Prize and Distinction (Medaille d’Or avec les félicitations du jury).
Elektra has collaborated with international festivals throughout the world including the San Francisco International Arts Festival, Flower Piano Festival, and Oxford Philomusica in the United Kingdom. Exciting plans for this coming season include BajaPianoFest in Baja California and performances in Paris, London and Rome.

www.elektraschmidt.com
www.artistmigration.com

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