ang Lang, one of the most celebrated pianists of our time, joins forces with the Wiener Philharmoniker under the baton of Tugan Sokhiev for an evening of extraordinary orchestral colour and virtuosity. The programme opens with Ravel’s effervescent Piano Concerto in G major — a work whose jazz-inflected brilliance and lyrical slow movement offer the ideal canvas for Lang Lang’s dazzling technique and poetic sensitivity. After the interval, Sokhiev leads the Wiener Philharmoniker through two masterpieces of orchestral imagination: Debussy’s shimmering triptych La Mer, with its luminous evocations of the sea in all its moods, followed by Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet suite — assembled by Sokhiev himself — whose dramatic sweep and heartbreaking tenderness bring Shakespeare’s tragedy vividly to life in sound. PROGRAM: Ravel: Piano Concerto in G majo; Debussy: La Mer; Prokofiev: Suite from Romeo and Juliet
Pelléas et Mélisande
Music of introverted tenderness and a libretto that hints at much and offers few answers – such is Pelléas et Mélisande, Claude Debussy’s only completed opera. Dubbed “Drama lyrique” by the composer himself, and written in 1902 at a time when the subconscious, the psyche, dreams and urges commanded the attention of science and art, this music searches the souls of its characters with ist subtle nuances. Pelléas and Golaud are half-brothers, each loving the girl-from-nowhere Mélisande. The elder, dominant Golaud makes her his wife; the younger Pelléas is the soul-mate of the taciturn, strangely vulnerable Mélisande and an equally mysterious bond of concealed love is formed between them. The consummately precise staging by Nikolaus Lehnhoff has a cast to match these wondrous sounds. This exceptional production “achieves […] what actually can only be understood as magic.” (Die Welt)
Evgeny Kissin – The Salzburg Recital
Evgeny Kissin appeared in Salzburg with compositions of the late Romantic and classical modern periods in the Großes Festspielhaus. Since his debut in 1987, the pianist has been a welcome guest at this festival, impressing with the maturity and brilliance of his playing. Kissin loves the dialogue with the audience and the direct power of the concert moment. With his solo recital, Evgeny Kissin presents the audience with a truly remarkable programme, a musical offering which inspires throughout, until the very last note fades away: “In a selection of encores, Kissin delivers the B-flat minor scherzo like a momentous pronouncement, alongside works by Debussy and Mendelssohn, as well as an original composition – he pulls them out of his sleeve, as impulsive and refined as if the concert had just begun.” (Salzburger Nachrichten) “Kissin blossoms into his full greatness” (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung) PROGRAM Chopin: Nocturne in B major op. 62/1, Impromptus Nos. 1–3 opp. 29, 36 & 51, Scherzo No. 1 & 2, Polonaise op. 53; Berg: Piano Sonata, op. 1; Khrennikov: Dance op. 5/3, 5 Pieces op. 2; Gershwin: Preludes for Piano; Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Andante con moto (“Duetto”) op. 38; Debussy: Clair de lune; Kissin: Dodecaphonic Tango op. 1/2
David Garrett: Unlimited
Star violinist David Garrett celebrates his ten-year spectacular crossover programme with thousands of fans in the extraordinary atmosphere of the Arena di Verona, Italy. Performing his Greatest Hits of brilliant interpretations of rock classics like “We Are The Champions” or “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and world-famous pop songs like “Viva La Vida” or “Hey Jude” and his arrangements of classical melodies like Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, David Garrett left a thrilled audience in the Arena.
Gergiev conducts Debussy, Prokofiev and Stravinsky
The energy and excitement of performances under the baton of maestro Valéry Gergiev are thrilling. This concert, with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, was recorded live at the city’s Doelen Hall. The programme includes Debussy’s Fragments Symphoniques for D’Annunzio’s mystery play Le Martyre de St Sébastien, Prokofiev’s Scythian Suite, Stravinsky’s Fireworks and his Piano Concerto. The soloist for the concerto is the Georgian virtuoso Alexander Toradze, a singularly imposing figure at the keyboard.
RCO: Andris Nelsons conducts Rachmaninoff
Latvian conductor Andris Nelsons made his first appearance with the RCO to great acclaim in 2008 and has returned regularly ever since. The soloist is the celebrated tenor Ian Bostridge, who is sure to shine brightly in the exceptionally beautiful Les illuminations by BRITTEN, who was born 100 years ago. Britten’s work makes for a fascinating contrast with the Slavic energy of RACHMANINOFF’s Symphonic Dances. Also on the programm Claude DEBUSSY’s Six épigraphes antiques (UNITEL Cat. No. A865500050000)
Kirill Gerstein & Mao Fujita in Recital
Experience an extraordinary evening of piano artistry as acclaimed pianist Kirill Gerstein appears with his brilliant protégé Mao Fujita at the Ark Hall, Tokorozawa Civic Cultural Centre. This special concert offers a rare glimpse into the powerful artistic bond between master and student. A recipient of the Gilmore Artist Award and professor at Berlin’s Hanns Eisler Hochschule, Gerstein is internationally celebrated for his imaginative interpretations and distinctive blend of classical and jazz influences. Mao Fujita, silver medalist at the 2019 Tchaikovsky Competition, has rapidly emerged as one of the most compelling pianists of his generation. Schubert: Variations Op. 46; Schumann: Andante and Variations Op. 46; Ravel: La Valse; Busoni: Duettino concertante based on Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 19; Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances Op. 45; Debussy: Lindaraja; Rachmaninoff: Waltz for 4 Hands Op.11, No.4
Järvi & Sidorova – Münchner Philharmoniker
“Latvian soloist Ksenija Sidorova…has true star quality – and yet always lets her instrument take centre stage” (Münchner Merkur) The Münchner Philharmoniker concert features Estonian conductor Paavo Järvi and Latvian accordionist Ksenija Sidorova. The program includes Debussy’s early piece “Printemps,” showcasing the orchestra’s subtlety. Sidorova performs “Prophecy,” an accordion and orchestra work by Erkki-Sven Tüür, known for its virtuosity and emotional final movement. The concert concludes with Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5, highlighting its bright mid-summer qualities. PROGRAM: Debussy – “Printemps”, Suite (arr. by Henri Büsser); Tüür – “Prophecy”; Sibelius – Symphony No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 82
BR: Festive Gala with Lang Lang and Mariss Jansons
Feel like taking a world tour? Let Mariss Jansons and the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks take you to Europe, America and Asia in their festive gala programme. They are joined by super star Lang Lang, who performs the dreamy Andante from Mozart’s Piano Concerto in C major as well as an excerpt from the Yellow River Concerto, a popular piece from his native China. To end the concert maestro Jansons unleashes a musical firework display with an Hungarian Dance by Brahms and Rumanian folk music by Ligeti.
Sol Gabetta and Hélène Grimaud in Concert
Two outstanding artists, pianist Helene Grimaud and the cellist Sol Gabetta, performing a highly acclaimed recital in Berlin’s Philharmonic Hall. On the programme cello sonatas by DEBUSSY (D minor), BRAHMS (No. 1 op. 38) and SHOSTAKOVICH: op. 40., and furthermore SCHUMANN’s Fantasiestücke op. 73. “Both bestselling artists it’s very easy to see why they’ve joined together. There are four extremely different composers featured, each one calling for a completely different musical approach. What is particularly brilliant is that these two capture the essence of each composer and their world. Lyrical and light Debussy, heartwrenching Shostakovich, dark and brooding Brahms and the strangely whimsical Schumann. I look forward to hearing how this musical partnership matures over the coming years”.(Readings, Australia)