125 Years in the Making: The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra at Sydney Opera House
Description
Strauss’ spectacular tone-poem Ein Heldenleben and Beethoven’s beloved Third Piano Concerto showcase the brilliant sound and stunning virtuosity of arguably the greatest orchestra in the world today.
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor, Op.37
R
STRAUSS A Hero’s Life, Op.40
Mariss Jansons, conductor
Yefim Bronfman, piano
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Strauss’ spectacular tone-poem Ein Heldenleben and Beethoven’s beloved Third Piano Concerto showcase the brilliant sound and stunning virtuosity of arguably the greatest orchestra in the world today.
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor, Op.37
R STRAUSS A Hero’s Life, Op.40
Mariss Jansons, conductor
Yefim Bronfman, piano
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
One reviewer of Beethoven’s Third Piano concerto said that it requires a soloist “who, in addition to everything one associates with virtuosity, has understanding in his head and a heart in his breast.” He could have been describing Yefim Bronfman, a pianist celebrated for his ego-less devotion to music coupled with
his emotional intelligence and formidable technique
. This concerto is Beethoven’s homage to Mozart, a fusing of Classical balance with Romantic intensity. Calling for the utmost sensitivity on the part of soloist and orchestra, it swings from stark drama to barbed wit by way of a celestial slow movement.
In 1897, Richard Strauss described the RCO as being “really magnificent, full of youthful vigour and enthusiasm”. The next year he composed his tone-poem Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life) and dedicated it to the Concertgebouw Orchestra and its second conductor, Willem Mengelberg. This is just one example of the extraordinary relationships that the RCO has had with revolutionary composers since its foundation. Strauss himself informed the performance traditions of his music which exist in the Orchestra to this day.
The hero of the title is composer himself. Strauss once confessed that he found himself “no less interesting than Napoleon” and in this musical autobiography he depicts himself in similarly grandiose terms as he battles carping critics, makes love to his sweetheart and liberally quotes from his own works. Whether serious or tongue-in-cheek, it is a sonic spectacular with few rivals, designed to showcase every virtuoso player and the burnished sound of a brilliant orchestra.
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Artist Information
YEFIM BRONFMAN
'A marvel of digital dexterity, warmly romantic sentiment, and jaw-dropping bravura'. Chicago Tribune
YEFIM BRONFMAN
'A marvel of digital dexterity, warmly romantic sentiment, and jaw-dropping bravura'. Chicago Tribune
Yefim Bronfman is the platonic ideal of a concert pianist: virtuosic, attentive and in love with music. Born in Tashkent but an American citizen since 1989, Bronfman has been a regular guest on stages around the world, performing a uniquely broad repertoire, from Scarlatti to contemporary composers such as Esa-Pekka Salonen. The mighty Russians, are of course, a speciality and the perfect showcase for both his technique and his humanity. He won a Grammy Award for his 1997 recordings of the Bartók piano concertos with the LA Philharmonic and high praise for his chamber music collaborations with some of the world’s finest concert musicians. The Philadelphia Inquirer summed up the critical and audience consensus when it said
“It's safe to say there is no pianist around remotely like Yefim Bronfman.”
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Pricing Information
Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection.
| Standard |
$89 - $499 |
| 2 Program Package* |
$246.50 - $841.50 |
Booking fee applies per transaction
$8.50 - Contact Centre
$8.50 - Internet
$5.00 - Box Office Counter
Pricing Information Explained
Pricing Information Explained
*Not available online. Transaction fee of $5-$8.50 applies to all booking, excluding Insiders. 15% discount available when you purchase tickets to both programs in the same reserve in the same transaction. Not available on D reserve. Offer strictly limited and not available in conjunction with any other offer (including an Insiders discount).
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Reviews
‘The best orchestra in the world’
. The Guardian (UK)
‘Their sound is the equivalent of polished mahogany’
. The New York Times
‘The depth and eloquence of the strings, the quick-witted brilliance of the woodwind and the rounded security of the brass are unfailing.’
The Guardian (UK)
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