Emile Souvagie & Alexander Declercq

Two young musical trailblazers cross swords in a programme that embraces all styles and periods. Emile Souvagie, principal clarinettist with the Brussels Philharmonic, and pianist Alexander Declercq, one half of Duo Altiler, rise early for the second Concert Croissant of the season. Sonatas for clarinet and piano are the obvious choice for their combination, but with Francis Poulenc and Leonard Bernstein they have nevertheless assembled an original programme. The shifting moods of Robert Schumann’s Fantasiestücke Op. 73 [Fantasy Pieces Op. 73] transport us straight into the heart of Romanticism. Finally, they seek out small moments of pure joy in the miniature works of Alban Berg (Four Pieces) and Claude Debussy (Petite Pièce).