Despite its popularity, Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto remains refreshingly original with its exciting and altogether exceptional opening and richly forged musical dramas of powerful virtuosity and of uncommon sensitivity. Karabits’ concerto, subtitled Lamentations, takes inspiration from two tragedies that befell Ukraine in the 20th century – the Stalin policy induced famine of 1932-33 and the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986. Eclectically scored with theatrical gestures, it is modern orchestral music rooted in tradition. In the predominantly meditative Styx, the viola acts as an intermediary between the lands of the living and the dead. It is also the go-between for the orchestra and the chorus, which sings a patchwork text made up of the names of churches, and the titles of folksongs and lullabies from the composer’s native Georgia. Originally composed for solo piano, Balakirev’s virtuosic Islamey is an oriental fantasy inspired by melodies from the Caucasus Mountains.

EPSG:4326

Voices From the East

Lighthouse, Poole's Centre for the Arts

See the Orchestra in rehearsal for one final time this season, as Kirill prepares for Voices from the East — the first in a trilogy of concerts to round off his illustrious tenure as Chief Conductor!

Join us for tea and coffee in Function Room 2 at Lighthouse from 3.45pm, before a short introduction to the rehearsal by our Head of Concerts and Artistic Planning Heather Duncan. We’ll head into the Concert Hall at approximately 4.30pm*, when the Orchestra returns to the stage after their afternoon break.

Open Rehearsal with Kirill Karabits

Festival Schedule Concert 4

Harrigan Centennial Hall

Tchaikovsky First Piano Concerto

Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences

Schumann's C major Fantasie is one of the best loved of all piano works. Balakirev's Islamey was at one time considered the most difficult of all piano pieces 'and is still one of the knucklebusters'. Ravel is said to have composed Gaspard de la Nuit to be even more difficult! This programme is a veritable mountain for a pianist to climb, but with the leading French pianist of today we are in safe hands and can sit back and enjoy the ride.

Classical Stars: Bertrand Chamayou - Schumann And Ravel Piano Masterpieces

Perth Concert Hall

Pianist and composer Mikael Darmanie performs an eclectic program showcasing the musical perspectives that have most influenced his own, from Olivier Messiaen, Robert Schumann and Alexander Scriabin to Erykah Badu. Darmanie says, “At first glance it’s giving music-streaming-app-playlist-on-shuffle vibes, but at its core, it represents the intersection of two disparate systems: the eclecticism of today’s algorithmic based society and the indifference of nature.”

Mily Balakirev

Events

Upcoming events

Mar 8, 2025

Tchaikovsky First Piano Concerto · Lubbock Symphony Orchestra

Mar 11, 2025

Classical Stars: Bertrand Chamayou - Schumann And Ravel Piano Masterpieces · Perth Theatre and Concert Hall

Apr 17, 2025

Mikael Darmanie, piano · Kaufman Music Center

Past events

May 1, 2024

Voices From the East · Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Apr 30, 2024

Open Rehearsal with Kirill Karabits · Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

About

Mily Balakirev hasn't added a bio