French Connections
Location: Portsmouth
Date: 26-02-2010
Time: 19:30
Venue Details: Portsmouth Guildhall
Works Performed
- Beethoven : Prometheus Overture
- Chopin : Piano Concerto No.1
- Franck : Symphony in D minor
Performers
- Conductor : Yan Pascal Tortelier
- Soloist: Saleem Abboud Ashkar (Piano)
Beethoven’s ballet The Creatures of Prometheus was his first major work for the stage. Premiered in 1801 it became a huge success and was performed countless times within a few years. The Overture is concise and powerful – massive chords open the slow introduction before a blistering allegro hurtles it to a close.
Chopin wrote his First Piano Concerto just before leaving Poland forever. It established him as a talent to be watched. When he finally arrived in Paris, his reputation had preceded him, and he was on the brink of international fame.
The powerful and highly personal Symphony in D is the Belgian composer’s most famous work. It is lusciously filled with gorgeous Wagnerian harmonies, combining elements of both symphony and symphonic poem in a thematically unified whole. It has enormous emotional appeal and remains an audience favourite.
