Quatuor Pražák by Chopin, Dum 03 Mart. 2024, De la (2024/2024), Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris, France

Although the Pražák Quartet line-up has changed since it was founded – viola player Josef Klusoň is the only remaining original member – the formation has lost none of its Slav soul. This is a boon for François Dumont, a regular partner of the Czech quartet, who are reconnecting here with Chopin. Composed in Warsaw and premiered there on 17 March 1830, Concerto No.2 will be performed as a quintet, after a selection of pieces dear to the Frenchman’s heart. Crescendo magazine summed up Dumont’s recording of Ballades et Impromptus in 2020 (La Musica) as “Sweetness, tenderness and poetry”. These words will be echoed by the audience at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées on Sunday.