Vivaldi’s Baroque-era panache and Piazzolla’s Argentinian tango join in a dialogue that spans the seasons, under the direction of violinist and conductor Rosanne Philippens.

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The Seasons of Vivaldi and Piazzola

Place des Arts

The Symphonic Dances is an exhilarating summary of Rachmaninov’s life’s work – rhythmically animated and truly symphonic, nostalgic and sarcastic. He creates a wondrous kaleidoscope of instrumental colours, from the mellow crooning of an alto saxophone to the dry-bones clatter of a xylophone, and with its incisive dance rhythms inspired by folk and jazz the work finally explodes with visceral energy. More akin to a symphony, Shostakovich’s First Violin Concerto is a real tour de force of a piece, calling on everything in the violinist’s technical arsenal as well as vast physical and emotional stamina. The wide emotional range of its four-movement structure encompasses brooding, elegiac melancholy with savage, mocking sarcasm before it gives itself up totally to a rhythmic energy and brilliance of colour. Sibelius’ gem of a miniature masterpiece, Valse Triste, portrays a dance of death between a woman and the Grim Reaper, and is both haunting and poignant.

Symphonic Dances

Lighthouse, Poole's Centre for the Arts

Portsmouth Guildhall

Sometimes art imitates life so closely that you can almost feel its breath. “With passion and desire” wrote Tchaikovsky on the slow movement of his Fifth Symphony, and the whole piece is a struggle between love and despair, told in elegant waltzes, bittersweet songs and melody after sweeping melody. Gemma New is always a popular guest conductor here in Scotland, and she knows exactly how to get to the heart of a masterpiece – whether Lera Auerbach’s fiery retelling of the myth of Icarus, or the shadows, secrets and burning truths of Shostakovich’s powerful First Violin Concerto. Rosanne Philippens is the soloist today: a violinist who believes that every note should convey emotion, and forge a connection.

Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony

Glasgow City Hall

Imagine...a journey from darkness to light. Struggles between love & despair inspire a pulse-raising masterpiece that stirs the soul.
Sometimes art imitates life so closely that you can almost feel its breath. “With passion and desire” wrote Tchaikovsky on the slow movement of his Fifth Symphony, and the whole piece is a struggle between love and despair, told in elegant waltzes, bittersweet songs and melody after sweeping melody. Gemma New is always a popular guest conductor here in Scotland, and she knows exactly how to get to the heart of a masterpiece – whether Lera Auerbach’s fiery retelling of the myth of Icarus, or the shadows, secrets and burning truths of Shostakovich’s powerful First Violin Concerto. Rosanne Philippens is the soloist today: a violinist who believes that every note should convey emotion, and forge a connection.

Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony in Aberdeen

Music Hall

Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony in Edinburgh

The Usher Hall

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra: Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony

Usher Hall

Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky and Rachmaninoff are three giants of Russian music, and this concert foregrounds all their exceptional talents. Arensky uses one of Tchaikovsky’s Sixteen Children’s Songs to capture a range of moods and character, while Stravinsky’s Concerto for Violin is a feisty, joyful romp for the instrument, full of cheerful melody and musical wit. To close, a second visit to the no-holds-barred emotional world of Rachmaninoff’s symphonies (though you’ll have to wait until 2025/26 for Symphony No.3!) and the achingly beautiful, flamboyantly majestic Second.

Rosanne Philippens

Events

Upcoming events

Sep 29, 2024

The Seasons of Vivaldi and Piazzola · Orchestre symphonique de Montréal

5 - 6 Mar, 2025

Symphonic Dances · Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

May 8, 2025

Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony · BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

May 9, 2025

Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony in Aberdeen · BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

May 11, 2025

Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony in Edinburgh · BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Future and recently performed repertoire

Conductor in The Four Seasons by Vivaldi

Orchestre symphonique de Montréal

Conductor in The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires by Piazzolla

Orchestre symphonique de Montréal

Violin in Violin Concerto No. 1 by

Usher Hall

Violin in Violin Concerto No.1 by

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Violin in Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor by Shostakovich

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Violin in Concerto for Violin by

Ulster Orchestra

About

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