Conductor Lionel Bringuier Makes BSO Debut Leading an Evening of Russian Orchestral Showpieces, April 13-15
Baltimore, Md. (PRWEB) March 08, 2012
Los Angeles Philharmonic Resident Conductor Lionel Bringuier will lead the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in Tchaikovskys Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture on Friday, April 13 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 15 at 3 p.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and Saturday, April 14 at 8 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore. In his BSO debut, 25-year-old French conductor Lionel Bringuier and the BSO present an all-Russian concert to also include Mussorgskys Night on Bald Mountain and Stravinskys Firebird Suite. Also on the program is Khachaturians dazzling Violin Concerto, which will feature the talents of Jonathan Carney. Please see below for complete program details.
Instantly recognizable to listeners of all backgrounds, the love theme of Tchaikovskys Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture is first introduced innocently by the English horn and violas it isnt until the climax of the piece that the highly-recognizable, fully orchestrated, luscious execution of the theme appears. As the timpani echoes a dying heartbeat, this melody returns once more in the coda, only this time it is eerily lifeless. Considered to be Tchaikovskys first masterpiece, Romeo and Juliet also became the first of several works inspired by Shakespeare, including The Tempest and Hamlet.
Based on a Russian folktale, Mussorgskys Night on Bald Mountain is a tone poem that depicts a witches Sabbath on a barren mountaintop. Described by the composer as hot-blooded and disorderly, the piece possesses boldness and sense of chaos that Mussorgskys friends and colleagues found completely unsuitable for publication or performance. Although greatly discouraged by their criticism, Mussorgsky revised the score on multiple occasions, but never heard the piece performed by an orchestra in his lifetime. After Mussorgskys death in 1881, master orchestrator Rimsky-Korsakov reworked the composition to create the orchestral version of Night on Bald Mountain that is most commonly heard today.
A spectacular showpiece, Khachaturians Violin Concerto displays a unique sound that is altogether reflective of the composers background. Born in Armenia, Khachaturian was exposed to Armenian folk tunes throughout his childhood, yet as an adult he entered the Moscow conservatory, where he was schooled in the Russian classical tradition. Therefore, when BSO Concertmaster Jonathan Carney performs the composers violin concerto, audience members will hear a fiery blend of lyricism, romanticism, exoticism and folk elements. Before appointed concertmaster of the BSO in 2001, Carney held the same position with several major orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Basque National Orchestra.
In another piece based on a Russian folktale, Stravinskys Firebird tells the story of a luminous, part-bird/part-woman creature that is both a blessing and a curse to her captor. Although Stravinsky was unimpressed by the subject choice, he far exceeded expectations of its commissioner, ballet impresario Sergei Diaghilev, who turned to Stravinsky as a third choice after two other composers had turned down his offers. Despite Stravinskys lukewarm sentiments toward the subject matter, the premiere at the Ballets Russes was an enormous success and propelled the composers career to a global stage.
Lionel Bringuier, conductor
2011-2012 marks Lionel Bringuiers fifth season with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the newly-created position of Resident Conductor of the orchestra, further deepening his ties and commitment to an institution and artistic team to which he has shown deep affinity his entire career. It also marks his final season as Music Director of the Orquesta Sinf
