MSO: Season Opening Gala

Join us for a concert with two universally admired guest artists – Brazilian pianist Nelson Freire, described by The Guardian as ‘a master of (his) craft’, and Australian heldentenor and Grammy Award nominee, Stuart Skelton. The celebratory program includes: Beethoven’s majestic “Emperor” Piano Concerto; Carl Vine’s Symphony No. 1 “Microsymphony” (a work encompassing the dramatic features of a symphony compressed into just 12 minutes); and highlights from Fidelio, Die Walküre, Otello and Götterdämmerung sung by Stuart Skelton, who was awarded the International Opera Awards Male Singer of the Year.

Prometheus – Poem of Fire

According to the ancient Greek legend, Prometheus brought fire and culture to mankind, thus saving the world from being destroyed by Zeus. Through the ages, this story has inspired countless artists, poets and musicians to some of their grandest creations.

Christopher Swann’s film is based on a 1993 televised concert from Berlin’s Philharmonic Hall.

The program features music by Beethoven, Liszt, Skriabin and Nono based on the legend of Prometheus. The four compositions could not be more diverse in style and conception, representing highly different approaches: from the Prometheus as bringer of plague and destruction to the punished Prometheus chained to a rock.

In this film, Christopher Swann stresses a visual approach to this variety of ideas, using a number of modern film techniques to underscore and illustrate the musical presentation.

Performances by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under Claudio Abbado are first-rate, although it is the presence of Argerich that will make this DVD an obligatory purchase.

Nederlands Dans Theater 3

According to the ancient Greek legend, Prometheus brought fire and culture to mankind, thus saving the world from being destroyed by Zeus. Through the ages, this story has inspired countless artists, poets and musicians to some of their grandest creations.

Christopher Swann’s film is based on a 1993 televised concert from Berlin’s Philharmonic Hall.

The program features music by Beethoven, Liszt, Skriabin and Nono based on the legend of Prometheus. The four compositions could not be more diverse in style and conception, representing highly different approaches: from the Prometheus as bringer of plague and destruction to the punished Prometheus chained to a rock.

In this film, Christopher Swann stresses a visual approach to this variety of ideas, using a number of modern film techniques to underscore and illustrate the musical presentation.

Performances by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under Claudio Abbado are first-rate, although it is the presence of Argerich that will make this DVD an obligatory purchase.

Barenboim conducts Beethoven No. 4

With the performance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphonies Nos. 4, 5, 6 & 8, the Staatskapelle Berlin – under the direction of its principal conductor Daniel Barenboim – celebrates the outstanding composer and jubilarian in whose sign the year should actually be, before the Beethoven Year 2020 turned into a year in the grips of the pandemic that turned not only the music world upside down. PROGRAM: Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 4

Barenboim conducts Beethoven No. 5

With the performance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphonies Nos. 4, 5, 6 & 8, the Staatskapelle Berlin – under the direction of its principal conductor Daniel Barenboim – celebrates the outstanding composer and jubilarian in whose sign the year should actually be, before the Beethoven Year 2020 turned into a year in the grips of the pandemic that turned not only the music world upside down. PROGRAM: Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 5