The gala closing of our concert season brings another unusual program. First is the tragic and romantic Walk to the Paradise Garden overture by Frederick Delius based on the novel A Village Romeo and Juliet by Gottfried Keller. This overture takes us on to Benjamin Britten’s unusual concert performance Diversions for Piano Left Hand and Orchestra as another in a series of dedications to Viennese-born pianist Paul Wittgenstein, who lost his right arm in World War I. The Belgrade Philharmonic will perform it for the first time, featuring pianist Dejan Lazić. The concert closes in spectacular fashion with the dramatic and exciting Planets by Gustav Holst, with the support of the women’s academic choir Collegium musicum.

Program Notes