Episode 83 — February 2, 2021
Francis Poulenc: "Cello Sonata, II. Cavatine" for cello and piano
Performed by Audrey Chen and Jiarong Li

During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, cellist Audrey Chen found herself turning to the lush, romantic music of Francis Poulenc’s Cello Sonata, particularly its passionate second movement. She’d instinctively turn it on as she took her walks around Central Park; the music was calming, helping her to tune into the serenity of the nature around her. For the House Music series, she performs this very movement with her friend and pianist Jiarong Li. 

Chen’s relationship with Metropolis Ensemble began very recently, with a performance of a new score by Ricardo Romeiro to accompany Thomas Edison’s silent film, A Christmas Carol, that occurred during December 2020 in partnership with the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She’s a new member of the Argus Quartet, a string quartet who’s had a vibrant history with Metropolis, and the group who introduced her to Metropolis’ work.

Since first being blown away by Poulenc’s sonata years ago, Chen knew she wanted to have her own personal experience with it; she first learned the music about a year ago. Its intimacy conjures different emotions for everyone, but for Chen, its slow, lyrical ambiance feels nostalgic and sentimental. 

Notes by Vanessa Ague

 
House Music: Bite-sized concerts recorded at homes around the world

In 2020-21, we created a weekly video series featuring short-form concerts of newly-commissioned works, supporting 208 artists around the world during the pandemic.