The Hallé - A Hero’s Life

Smetana Má Vlast: Vltava
Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No.3
R. Strauss Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life)

Sir Mark Elder conductor
Pavel Kolesnikov piano

‘The chemistry between the Hallé and its music director bristles with spontaneity and colour,’ was the recent verdict of The Spectator. Whenever they make music together something special occurs – clearly Sir Mark Elder’s visits are not to be missed! Smetana’s portrayal of the river Vltava is a work Sir Mark ‘adores’, particularly for its depiction of its bubbling source, which will be exquisitely conveyed by the Hallé’s flautists. Rachmaninov’s Third Piano Concerto is both fiendishly virtuosic and laden with his characteristic ardent, late-romantic lyricism. It will be performed by Siberian pianist Pavel Kolesnikov an artist, with whom Sir Mark has been keen to collaborate. Richard Strauss’s Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life) is, for him ‘a deeply affecting work’, a Hallé party-piece, full of orchestral solos that players and audiences love.

Concert sponsored by CMS
Thursday series sponsor: SIEMENS