Bartók & Ravel

Program
Claude Debussy Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
Béla Bartók Piano Concerto No. 3
Witold Lutoslawski Symphony No. 4
Maurice Ravel La Valse

Conductor
Dima Slobodeniouk

Soloist
Martin Helmchen

In this concert, two outstanding artists will lead the audience through a repertoire featuring the music of four pioneers of the 20th century. The first half of the concert pits Debussy's seductive and colourful tones against the more rhythmic folk music of Béla Bartók. After the intermission, Lutoslawski's bold yet refined style takes over in his final symphony, and the concert concludes with Ravel's poetic yet passionate interpretation of the Viennese Waltz.

German pianist Martin Helmchen is one of the most sought-after pianists of our time. Sensitive interpretation and nuanced articuulation, combined with impeccable technique, have brought him to the stage with the world's leading symphony orchestras, and it will be exciting to hear him shine in the soloist role in Bartók's 3rd Piano Concerto. Finnish conductor Dima Slobodeniouk has that in common with the soloist that he regularly performs with the world's most renowned orchestras, such as the London and Boston Symphony Orchestras and the Berlin and New York Philharmonics.