RCO: Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducts Bruckner 5

After the acclaimed maestro Nikolaus Harnoncourt led the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in a performance of the Third Symphony back in 1994 and of the Fourth in 1997, he returns with Bruckner’s Fifth Symphony. Bruckner wrote his Fifth Symphony in Vienna, the city in which he composed most of his symphonies. The work stands out from the others, however, in that its general profile is more cerebral than mystical. Yet even in this impressive feat of contrapuntal technique, the divine light of Bruckner’s intense faith still shines through.

Murray Perahia – Live in Warsaw

The Warsaw recital of legendary pianist Murray Perahia, recorded on February 24th 2010. Available in three versions: Version 1: Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830; Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109; Frédéric Chopin: Étude Op. 10, No. 4 (Length: 56 min) // Version 2: Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830; Frédéric Chopin: Ballade No. 3 in A-flat major, Op. 47 / Étude Op. 25, No. 5 / Étude Op. 25, No. 1 / Étude Op. 10, No. 4 / Mazurka Op. 50, No. 3 / Mazurka Op. 59, No. 3 (Length: 56’) // Version 3: Bach, Beethoven, Chopin (Length: 76’)

Khatia Buniatishvili – Mind in the Wilderness

Khatia Buniatishvili’s playing has been described as having ‘an aura of elegant solitude and even melancholy. It’s a perfect characterization of the pianist with such a wide palette of expression. Khatia Buniatishvili commands a natural musicality. ‘Force of nature’, ‘Spiritedness’, or ‘Infinite freedom’ are frequently mentioned attributes on her interpretation. Buniatishvili’s artistic approach to making music is undoubtedly associated with the Romantic tradition, always maintaining a fine balance between unhinged wildness and lyrical introspection. The repertoire comprises cheerful moments, melancholic passages and nocturne-like episodes: virtuously brought to life throughout a concert experience with a great quality of intimacy and generous ardour. —- Works by Bach, Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Kancheli, Brahms, Ravel, Grieg, Händel, Liszt, Dvorák, Buniatishvili, Pärt, Ligeti.

Les Troyens

Berlioz’ ‘Les Troyens’ from the Salzburg Festival 2000 belongs is one of the most acclaimed productions by legendary director Herbert Wernicke. The cast is also second to none: in the role of Cassandre and Didon is American singer Deborah Polaski, who is renowned as one of the greatest dramatic Mezzo-Sopranos of our century.

A Baroque Celebration

The 19th of December 2011 was an evening of colour, joy and entertainment, as 19 renowned musicians joined forces in the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris. They were brought together in sound and harmony by the dervish of baroque music, Emmanuelle Haïm. This 10th anniversary of the ‘Le Concert d’Astrée’ was celebrated by Haïm and the musicians in a very special way: an exuberant party of the baroque. The 20 singers and instrumentalists joining the ensemble, having refined their musical collaboration for the past 10 years: Natalie Dessay, Sandrine Piau and Anne Sofie von Otter, as well as Philippe Jaroussky, Patricia Petibon, Rolando Villazon or the Finnish tenor Topi Lehtipuu. —— Arias, Duets, Trios und Quartets from G. F. HANDEL: Il Trionfo del Tempo, Giulio Cesare, The Messiah, Ariodante; H. PURCELL: The Fairy Queen; J. B. LULLY: Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, C. MONTEVERDI: L’incoronazione di Poppea; J. P. RAMEAU: Dardanus

Rattle conducts Haydn and Mozart

At this summer’s Lucerne Festival, Sir Simon Rattle and the Berliner Philharmoniker presented a new Haydn symphony that never existed before: Rattle gathered together ten of the most original and avant-garde-like instrumental movements by Joseph Haydn to fashion a “Symphonie imaginaire,” a new Haydn symphony that never existed before. In addition to this astonishing Haydn Pasticcio, Rattle conducted Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante for violin, viola and orchestra, soloists were Daishin Kashimoto (violin) and Amihai Grosz (viola).

Joshua Bell plays Tchaikovsky

C Major is proud to present the young and brilliant world famous American violinist Joshua Bell, performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major at the Nobel Prize Concert 2010, produced by Accentus Music. As part of the official Nobel Week, the world’s most renowned artists are gathering each year to pay tribute to the Nobel Laureates. The concert is a special highlight in the series. On the rostrum: Sakari Oramo the Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. The evening starts with Beethoven’s Leonore Ouverture and ends with Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5 in E flat major.

Rhapsody in Blue – LA Phil Opening Gala with Herbie Hancock & Gustavo Dudamel

The Opening Night Gala 2011/2012 of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra features keyboard legend Herbie Hancock who joins Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic for a high-spirited celebration of quintessential American composer George Gershwin. The concert begins with the iconic Tin Pan Alley composer’s Cuban Overture and his beloved An American In Paris. Then the multiple Grammy Award-winning pianist joins Dudamel and the LA Phil to perform arguably Gershwin’s most famous work, the jazz hued Rhapsody in Blue.