Symphonic Concert
Orchestre de Paris / Stanislav Kochanovsky
Alexandre Kantorow - Dukas, Prokofiev, Rimski-Korsakov
To leave after this concert
- Taxi G7
Wednesday, 26 May 2021 — 8:30pm
Thursday, 27 May 2021 — 8:30pm
Program
Paul Dukas
L'Apprenti sorcier
Sergueï Prokofiev
Concerto pour piano n° 2
Nikolaï Rimski-Korsakov
Shéhérazade
Distribution
- Orchestre de Paris
- Stanislav Kochanovsky, conducting
- Alexandre Kantorow, piano
The spirit of the symphonic poem and the power of musical storytelling resound in the immensely popular works The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Sheherazade, followed by the percussive force of Prokofiev’s Concerto No.2—like a powerful antidote.
Inspired by one of Goethe’s ballads, Dukas’s illustrious Sorcerer’s Apprentice was immortalised by Walt Disney’s Fantasia: its vivacity and the sense of orchestral effects, supported by remarkable rigour, create an undeniable mood of magic spells and incantations. This rich imagery and sense of enchantment are echoed in Rimsky-Korsakov’s symphonic suite Sheherazade, a masterpiece of Orientalist fantasy, beloved for its unforgettable violin arabesques, epic fanfares and voluptuous melodies.
In a sharper register, Prokofiev’s Concerto No.2—a daunting feat on piano carried off by Alexandre Kantorow (First Prize at the 2019 Tchaikovsky Competition)—sparked controversy at its premiere: a sense of ‘barbarity’ seemed to emanate from its mechanical style, and it is true that while the work has its mournful moments, the composer imbued it with a phenomenal concentration of energy.
Inspired by one of Goethe’s ballads, Dukas’s illustrious Sorcerer’s Apprentice was immortalised by Walt Disney’s Fantasia: its vivacity and the sense of orchestral effects, supported by remarkable rigour, create an undeniable mood of magic spells and incantations. This rich imagery and sense of enchantment are echoed in Rimsky-Korsakov’s symphonic suite Sheherazade, a masterpiece of Orientalist fantasy, beloved for its unforgettable violin arabesques, epic fanfares and voluptuous melodies.
In a sharper register, Prokofiev’s Concerto No.2—a daunting feat on piano carried off by Alexandre Kantorow (First Prize at the 2019 Tchaikovsky Competition)—sparked controversy at its premiere: a sense of ‘barbarity’ seemed to emanate from its mechanical style, and it is true that while the work has its mournful moments, the composer imbued it with a phenomenal concentration of energy.
Linked events
Clé d'écoute
Le Concerto pour piano n° 2 de Prokofiev
media
Paul Dukas : L'Apprenti sorcier - Orchestre de Paris, Paavo Järvi (direction)
Nikolaï Rimski-Korsakov : Shéhérazade, suite symphonique pour orchestre op. 35 - Les Siècles, François-Xavier Roth (direction)
Sergueï Prokofiev : Concerto pour piano et orchestre no 2 en sol mineur op. 16 - Denis Matsuev (piano), Orchestre du Mariinsky, Valery Gergiev (direction)