One of the actors is a violinist known the world over. The other is a clown different from any you have ever seen. One creates a wealth of exquisite sounds and harmonies, the other a concentration of pure emotions. The virtuoso with the violin: Pierre Amoyal; the clown and violin enthusiast: Howard Buten, otherwise known as Buffo.
"Sonata for Violin and a Red Nose" is a dialogue without words, held between two characters that are very different, but who complement each other extremely well. They are each animated by the same sensitivity, the same tenderness, and the same sense of humor, in perfect harmony with their violins.
The show begins as if it were a normal classical music concert, with Pierre Amoyal playing his violin and Frederic Chiu at the piano. Music lovers in the audience would be happy to continue listening to the concert, and when Buffo appears on stage, some in the audience may have misgivings.
He arrives filled with good intentions, on tiptoes - not an easy thing to do in his big clown shoes.
What comes next proves that the violinist and the clown can both be on the same stage when it comes to a musical affair of the heart. The humorous aspects of the show do not take away from the music, but instead add additional human qualities. And at no time does the audience forget that the violinist is a true virtuoso.
In each of the 28 pieces which make up the musical mosaic, Pierre Amoyal creates a tour de force as he moves deftly from Mozart to Schoenberg. Buffo's performance is quite different, but it proves that some clowns are in fact musicians. Both share their love for beautiful music, and a desire to break through people's preconceptions. As Buffo often makes clear, appearances can be deceiving.
The results of their efforts are a true reflection of Amoyal and Buffo - generous and filled with joy, creating a veritable "Symphony in Clown Major." This is a very poetic performance, a magical meeting between two artists who share their love for the universal language of music.
When the show is over, Buffo will dust off his red nose to devote his time once again to autistic children. And Pierre Amoyal, with his Stradivarius tucked under his chin, will return to the world of classical music.
Beethoven
Dvorak
Janacek
Schumann
Kreisler
Bach
Massenet
Tchaikovsky
Paganini
Ravel
Kreisier
Offenbach
Mozart
Brahms
Bizet
Gershwin/Heifetz
Schoenberg
Youmans
Amram
Delibes
Sonata in C minor, op.45
Concerto for Violin
Humoresque
Sonata
Traumeraï
Liebesleid
Gavotte in E Major
Prelude in E Major
Meditation of Thaïs
Concerto for Violin
Swan Lake
Caprice No. 24
Tzigane
Caprice Viennois
La Vie Parisienne
Rondo
Hungarian Dance, No. 5
Carmen
Turkey in the Straw
It Ain't Necessarily So
Concerto for Violin
Tea for Two
Folk Melody "Ellen O'Grady"
Pizzicati Sylvia
Violin : Pierre Amoyal Clown : Howard Buten Pianist : Paul Coker
Produced by the Théâtre de Vidy Lausanne E.T.E.
Since its creation in 1992, over 100 memorable performances have been given of this unique spectacle, delighting audiences throughout France, Switzerland and Germany
Musical extracts from the Performance
Some comments from the press:
"Incomparable...a grand moment of music, laughter, emotion and delight."
Le Figaro, Paris
"Superb and magical"
Ouest France, Brest
"Overflowing with joy and sadness, fantasy and hope, affection and humor... a performance capable of moving its audience in profound ways.".
Neue Ruhr Zeitung, Essen
"The whole (spectacle) is magnificent...moments of emotion alternating with hilarious passages."
Gazette de Lausanne
"What is most beautiful and perhaps the real message of this spectacle, is that there is no music without heart, without emotions.
Tribune de Genève
Amoyal and Buffo - a unique spectacle full of humor, music and emotions
45 secs 840Kb
57 secs 1.5Mb
