Chauson Poeme for Violin and Piano

Arranger: Endre Granat

When the great Belgian violin virtuoso Eugène Ysaÿe tried to commission a violin concerto, Chausson declined and suggested a one movement work, Poème, Op 25. (1896). The premiere took place at the Conservatoire of Nancy in 1896 with Ysaÿe as soloist. The first Paris performance (1897) was a huge success for the composer who was yet relatively unknown. Chausson wrote three versions of the Poème: with orchestra, with piano accompaniment, and a version with piano and string quartet, the same setting as his Concerto in D for piano, violin, and string quartet, Op. 21 (1892). The violin parts are identical in all three versions. Ysaÿe's helping hand in writing a most violinistic solo part is noticeable throughout the composition.