For his tone poem ‘Scheherazade’ Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov chose four episodes from the famous 1001 nights tales collection to set, using glowing instrumental colors and exotically tinged ornaments. Andris Nelsons, the young and charismatic star conductor from Latvia, will be sure to inspire a veritable sonic intoxication with the wonderful
Concertgebouw Orchestra. In contrast, the first part of the concert will strike a heroic note when Yefim Bronfman, whose virtuosity knows no limits, plays Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto.
When world-class soprano Anna Netrebko gives a recital of exquisite, rarely heard Russian songs, you can be sure that she will pour her entire Russian soul into her interpretation, and draw out every last drop of expressiveness from these songs. Indeed, what she and her accompanist, the all-round musical phenomenon Daniel Barenboim, presented in Berlin was a truly one-of-a-kind concert: a rare occasion to enjoy these Russian songs sung from and by the heart. And despite the vast dimensions of the Philharmonie, the two artists succeeded in creating an incredibly intimate atmosphere.
The Philadelphia Orchestra was founded in 1900. Eugene Ormandy (1899-1985) stood at its head as principal conductor from 1936 to 1980. Continuing the work of his predecessor Leopold Stokowski, he turned the orchestra into one of the leading ensembles not only of the United States, but of the world. Under his direction, the orchestra became renowned in particular for its performances of late romantic and early 20th-century music.
