The final concert of the series For Lovers, directed by conductor Howard Griffiths and featuring pianist Andrea Lucchesini, is scheduled on two days in a row – 27 and 28 April (Kolarac, 8pm). Through the music of Prokofiev, Bartok and Shostakovich, the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra will show how 20th century composers treated love themes.
“Each of these composers had very distinctive artistic language that transcended stylistic categories. I find it very interesting that the Belgrade Philharmonic has selected pieces that were not written in the period of Romanticism to conclude the series dedicated to love. We are performing a very authentic repertoire, which is so typical for this orchestra”, said Maestro Griffiths.
The lovers’ finale opens with comical melodies from Prokofiev’s suite The Love for Three Oranges, based on the composer’s well-known opera. The story about a prince whose hypochondria can only be cured with laughter will surely amuse our audience with the musical humour brilliantly presented by Prokofiev with notes.
Bartok was writing his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 as a gift for his wife’s birthday, but he died before he could finish it. For this concerto, the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra will be joined by Italian pianist Andrea Lucchesini, former student of Maria Tipo, who nowadays regularly appears with the world’s leading orchestras and eminent conductors.
Shostakovich’s film suite The Gadfly brings the concert For Lovers to a dramatic conclusion. It was composed for a film about interwoven stories of war and love, which gained huge popularity in the Soviet Union.
For everyone who is interested for the lovers’ repertoire, there are still tickets available for the first of the two concerts, on Thursday, 27 April at Kolarac. Owing to the great interest of the audience, the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra will give repeat performances of selected programmes from the regular season, under the slogan Philharmania – Because Once Is Not Enough. The same practice will continue in the season 2017/18.
