Debussy & Alexandre Tharaud plays Ravel
A French programme with music by Debussy and Messiaen, and pianist Alexandre Tharaud performing Ravel’s two Pianoconcerto's.
Multiple dates available
A French programme with music by Debussy and Messiaen, and pianist Alexandre Tharaud performing Ravel’s two Pianoconcerto's.
Les Offrandes oubliées is Olivier Messiaen's first orchestral work, written at the age of 22 just after his graduation from the Paris Conservatory. In this three-movement composition, Messiaen first depicts the crucifixion of Jesus. Then, with a tangle of glissandi accompanied by fierce trumpet blasts, he shows how man descends into sin. A subdued Eucharist ends Les Offrandes oubliées with a tapestry of pianissimo chords on muted strings.
2025 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of French composer Maurice Ravel. Maurice Ravel had long contemplated composing a piano concerto when, in 1929, he was commissioned by Paul Wittgenstein to write a piano concerto for the left hand. This Austrian pianist had lost his right arm during World War I, but arranged works himself and commissioned compositions so that he could still continue his pianistic career. Ravel accepted the assignment, resulting in the Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in D major, a single-movement composition rather dark and tragic in nature.
In parallel, Ravel also wrote the Piano Concerto in G major, in three movements and for two hands. This brilliant work – which Ravel initially considered naming 'Divertissement' – is much lighter in nature and draws inspiration from jazz music and Basque folk melodies. "My only wish was to write a genuine concerto, clearly highlighting the soloist's virtuosity, without seeking to show depth. I drew inspiration from two musicians who, in my opinion, best exemplify this type of composition: Mozart and Saint-Saëns."
Do not expect wild storms and violent gusts in Debussy's perhaps most beloved composition. La Mer evokes a relatively calm sea, infinitely shifting in the way the waves reflect light. Impressionism, symbolism and Debussy's fascination with Japanese prints such as Hokusai's The Great Wave blend together in this work to create one of the most colorful compositions in the history of music.
Created with the support of the Belgian Tax Shelter through Casa Kafka Pictures.
A short but intense concert on a Friday night, featuring the French star pianist Alexandre Kantorow venturing into Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto.
A French programme with music by Debussy and Messiaen, and pianist Alexandre Tharaud performing Ravel’s two Pianoconcerto's.
Ravel’s biggest orchestra work Daphnis et Chloé, preceded by Liszt’s First Piano Concerto performed by George Li.
Orchestra gems by Lili Boulanger, Richard Strauss and Richard Dubugnon next to Saint-Saëns Second Piano Concerto with pianist Bertrand Chamayou.
