Thomas Herrmann & Vera Laporeva – ‘Portraits’

An anniversary concert celebrating the two painters Klimt & Toorop, featuring music by Sosnovski, Bosmans, Satie, Debussy, Milhaud and others. Portraits of the painters will be on display!

Programme notes

The Almere-based musicians Thomas Herrmann (piano) and Vera Laporeva (violin) are members of the leading Erasmus Trio, which will celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2026. Tonight, at Goede Rede, they will present a varied programme in which visual art and music come together. The paintings of Gustav Klimt and Jan Toorop form the central theme. During the concert, images of works by both artists will be displayed.

The Austrian painter Gustav Klimt (1862–1918) was one of the leading figures of the Vienna Secession and Art Nouveau. His iconic works, including *The Kiss*, are characterised by rich ornamentation, symbolism and the use of gold leaf. The Belarusian composer Georges Sosnovski drew inspiration from seven of Klimt’s paintings in his cycle *Die sieben Bilder von Klimt*. Herrmann and Laporeva will perform five movements from this cycle, in which music and imagery are directly intertwined.

The work of Charley Toorop (1891–1955) also takes centre stage in this programme. Toorop ranks among the most important Dutch artists of the twentieth century. She is best known for her realistic paintings, particularly her powerful portraits and self-portraits. Like many artists of her time, she sought new forms of artistic expression and her own distinctive style.

The music of Henriëtte Bosmans, Francis Poulenc, Igor Stravinsky, Claude Debussy, Erik Satie and Darius Milhaud reflects that same drive for innovation. Each of these composers developed their own musical language, in which tradition and innovation come together.

Programme

G. Klimt:

• G. Sosnovski – Klimt’s Seven Paintings
  – No. 1 Adieu Adele
  – No. 2 Birch Forest
  – No. 3 Danae
  – No. 4 The Kiss
  – No. 7 Still Pond

Ch. Toorop:

• H. Bosmans: Recital Pieces for Violin & Piano
  – Prelude
  – Arietta
• F. Poulenc: from: Violin Sonata
  – II Intermezzo
• I. Stravinsky: from *Suite Italienne* for violin and piano
  – Introduction
• C. Debussy: La cathédrale engloutie
• E. Satie:
  – Gymnopédie No. 1
  – Gnossienne No. 1
• D. Milhaud: from *Scaramouche* (arr. for violin and piano by J. Heifetz)
  – III. Brazileira

The musicians

Vera Laporeva has had an impressive international career as a soloist, chamber musician and concertmaster. She has been concertmaster of the Metropole Orkest since 2005. She is also active as a guest concertmaster with renowned orchestras across Europe and is a much sought-after session musician. Vera has given masterclasses, coaches young talent and has been a permanent member of the Erasmus Trio since 1996. Vera plays a violin made by the Italian violin maker C.A. Testore in 1751.

Her partner, Thomas Herrmann, is a versatile concert pianist with an international career and numerous national and international awards to his name. He is the founder and pianist of the Erasmus Trio and has formed an acclaimed duo with violinist Vera Laporeva for over 25 years. In addition, he gives masterclasses both at home and abroad, is affiliated with the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague and serves as a jury member for Jugend Musiziert.