Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Description

Milestones of music – "When you conduct a magnificent orchestra like the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, you think big," says Vasily Petrenko, who has been the chief conductor of the London-based traditional orchestra since 2021. Accordingly, the program selection for the RPO's return to Freiburg focused on milestones in music history – primarily Ludwig van Beethoven's Fifth, the epic struggle from darkness into light. Sergei Prokofiev's second piano concerto is also considered titanic, a work of singular eruptive power – all the more exciting when this keyboard lion's parade piece now reveals its hidden lyrical and tonal layers in the hands of Jan Lisiecki. The Canadian pianist with Polish roots is known as a connoisseur with an exceptionally nuanced touch, who does not consume repertoire but penetrates it. He possesses strength and endurance as well as the ability to employ virtuosity without athletic self-display. Lisiecki's deliberate choice to take his time approaching Prokofiev was a conscious decision. "I enjoy working on composers whose musical language may not yet be mine," he explained in an interview. "The most recent example of this is Prokofiev. I am now enjoying this music immensely." And there is much to enjoy: from hunting motor skills to neoclassical strictness and late Romantic floating sounds to the most monumental solo cadenza of classical modernism. Beethoven's Fifth concludes the programmatic arc – a work that, like few others, stands for departure, perseverance, and triumphant escalation. Music in which orchestra and conductor truly have to "think big." Program:
Nadezhda Rimskaya-Korsakova, A Bewitched Place
Prokofiev, Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 16
Beethoven, Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
Cast:
Jan Lisiecki, piano
Vasily Petrenko, conductor
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra EUR 129,- / 119,- / 99,- / 75,- / 56,- including fees
In subscription: EUR 101.80 / 98.90 / 84.30 / 64.10 / 49.10 Jan Lisiecki | Photo © Ksawery-Zamoyski

Highlights

• Performance of Beethoven's Fifth
• Jan Lisiecki at the piano
• Chief conductor Vasily Petrenko directs the concert

General Information

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra returns to Freiburg and presents milestones in music history. The focus is on Beethoven's Fifth, accompanied by Prokofiev's second piano concerto, interpreted by Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki.

Location

Konrad-Adenauer-Platz 1, 79098 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany

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