Grand inauguration of the 95th season of PRSO
On Friday, 1 October, the musicians were to perform under the baton of their current chief conductor Alexander Liebreich, but his medical indisposition changed the original plans. The conductor will be Petr Popelka, an excellent artist who will take up the post of chief conductor at the SOČR from next season. Instead of the originally announced Rite of Spring we will hear Symphonic Dances by Sergei Rachmaninoff in the evening's finale.
The programme will be broadcast live by the station ČRo Vltava, then re-broadcast by ČRo D-dur.
Tchaikovsky's Concerto in B-Flat Minor is one of the most popular musical compositions of all time. It was made in the mid-1870s and was inspired by the pianist Nikolai Rubinstein.
For us, this famous composition will be an opportunity to meet with the brilliant Venezuelan pianist (as well as composer) Gabriela Montero, who thanks to her exceptional musical talent, visionary playing and unique capacity for improvisation has earned the praise of critics, the devotion of audiences and prized recognition. Aside from her artistic qualities, her social credit is also remarkable. Gabriela Montero is a staunch defender of human rights and her voice resonates beyond the walls of concert halls. Amnesty International named her an Honorary Consul in 2015 and the Human Rights Foundation awarded her recognition for her excellent work in the field of human rights. Gabriela has twice given a speech and musical performance at the World Economic Forum in Davos. In 2012, she earned the Rockefeller Award for her contribution to the arts and in 2008 she performed as a special guest at the inauguration of Barack Obama.
The finale of the evening will also belong to Russian music. Sergei Rachmaninoff, known today mainly as a composer of music for piano, also wrote impressive orchestral works. The composer of three symphonies and symphonic poems completed his last major work, Symphonic Dances, in 1940. A work full of energetic dance rhythms, imaginative instrumentation and deep nostalgia, it is now part of the repertoire of orchestras around the world and makes a great end to an evening of radio symphonic music.
PROGRAMME
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, op. 23
Sergei Rachmaninoff
Symphonic Dances. op. 45
Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
Petr Popelka – conductor
Gabriela Montero – piano
Rudolfinum, Friday 1 October 2021 from 7:30 pm.
Live broadcast on ČRo Vltava hosted by Jitka Novotná
