CONCERTS

Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya (OBC)
Jan Lisiecki, piano

Grieg: Piano Concerto
Zemlinski: Die Seejungfrau (The Little Mermaid)

Venue Programme Note:
The timpani doubling prepares the initial burst and the almost immediate intervention of the leading instrument. Edvard Grieg composed his only piano concerto at the age of 24, while living in Denmark. Premiered in 1869 in Copenhagen, it is a masterpiece of the genre and contains all the elements of romantic artwork: originality, pathos and virtuosity in creation, and the development of melodies evocative of Nordic nature.

Inspired by the story of one of the most international Danes, Hans Christian Andersen, the work that the Austrian composer Alexander Zemlinsky titled Die Seejungfra u (The Little Mermaid) is a dreamy fantasy for orchestra, premiered in 1905 at the Musikverein in Vienna . A suggestive work, in three movements, which for a while was believed to be lost or destroyed, when in fact it was dismembered.

Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya (OBC)
Jan Lisiecki, piano

Grieg: Piano Concerto
Zemlinski: Die Seejungfrau (The Little Mermaid)

Venue Programme Note:
The timpani doubling prepares the initial burst and the almost immediate intervention of the leading instrument. Edvard Grieg composed his only piano concerto at the age of 24, while living in Denmark. Premiered in 1869 in Copenhagen, it is a masterpiece of the genre and contains all the elements of romantic artwork: originality, pathos and virtuosity in creation, and the development of melodies evocative of Nordic nature.

Inspired by the story of one of the most international Danes, Hans Christian Andersen, the work that the Austrian composer Alexander Zemlinsky titled Die Seejungfra u (The Little Mermaid) is a dreamy fantasy for orchestra, premiered in 1905 at the Musikverein in Vienna . A suggestive work, in three movements, which for a while was believed to be lost or destroyed, when in fact it was dismembered.

Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
DJ St. Paul
National Children’s Choir; Irene Verburg, Choir conductor

Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker (Selections)

VENUE PROGRAMME NOTE:
Pop and classical music join forces to present Pieces of Tomorrow: classical music in a new guise. In over an hour you will hear fragments from classical masterpieces that you must have heard live once in your life. You can bring your beer inside, visuals and light show will support the story and we will let the music speak for itself. Host DJ St. Paul asks the conductor and musicians all sorts of questions so that you can learn the story behind the music. Immerse yourself in the sound of a full symphony orchestra!

Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
National Children’s Choir; Irene Verburg, Choir conductor

Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker (Selections)

VENUE PROGRAMME NOTE:
Musical fairy tales come true during Christmas. The Radio Philharmonic has prepared a delicate Christmas surprise. Young and old can enjoy a complete performance of Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker. A magical work entirely appropriate for the Christmas season. Vasily Petrenko knows the Russian repertoire like the back of his hand. He leads the orchestra through the wonderful world of Clara and her living Nutcracker puppet.

With The Nutcracker from 1892, Tchaikovsky wrote one of the most renowned ballets in the repertoire. The Russian Romantic masterfully succeeded in capturing the tender, naive dream world of the child in the most wonderful melodies. Enchanting passages such as the March, Flower Waltz or the Dance of the Sugar Fairy excite everyone’s imagination.

The versatile Russian conductor Vasily Petrenko conducts orchestras all over the world. As chief conductor of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Petrenko has specialized in the great classical repertoire. This evening, together with the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and the National Children’s Choir, Petrenko erects an unforgettable Christmas monument to the disarming splendor of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker.