Kreutzer vs. Kreutzer

Richard Tognetti Artistic Director and Lead Violin
Samuel West Actor
Robin McLeavy Actor
Laura Wade Playwright
Sarah Giles Director

JANÁCEK (arr. Tognetti) String Quartet No.1, The Kreutzer Sonata
BEETHOVEN (arr. Tognetti) Violin Sonata in A, Kreutzer
LAURA WADE Kreutzer vs. Kreutzer (inspired by Tolstoy's Kreutzer Sonata)

Concert program PDF
Concert program e-book

There are three great works of art called ‘Kreutzer Sonata’: the original, Beethoven’s sonata; Tolstoy’s psychological drama, in which the Beethoven is a driving force; and Janácek’s quartet, a violent reaction against Tolstoy’s tale.

Since its first performance, the Kreutzer Sonata has indicated passion, intrigue, and sexual jealousy. Beethoven came to blows with the first violinist to perform it over a mutual love interest. Janácek wrote under the influence of an ambiguous extra-marital relationship. Tolstoy’s characters are driven to adultery and murder by Beethoven’s passionate music.

In a world premiere performance, 100 years after Tolstoy's death, all three works are presented in an ingenious production combining theatre and music by British playwright Laura Wade and Richard Tognetti.

Starring Samuel West (Enron, Persuasion, Notting Hill) and Robin McLeavy (STC’s A Streetcar Named Desire, The Loved Ones), with full performances of the Beethoven and Janácek by Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Kreutzer vs. Kreutzer is a musical and theatrical event not to be missed.