Gothenburg Symphony

The versatile Hélène Grimaud is a true renaissance woman! She splits her time between assignments as a concert pianist on the great international stages, writing books, and advocating for human rights and environmental protection. Together with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, she now performs Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. The second movement of the piece has come to be particularly discussed, and is described as depicting Orpheus, a legendary musician in Greek mythology who tames wild beasts with his enchanting melodies.

The programme will begin with Richard Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier Suite, which illustrates a bygone era with the gentle triplets of the waltz. The suite opens the same way as the Rosenkavalier opera, offering a musical portrayal of Vienna’s glory days of splendour and abundance.

To conclude, we will hear Sibelius’ Symphony No. 1, the work that brought him out into the world, much to the delight of critics. It was composed during anxious times for both Finland and for Sibelius personally.

The Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra’s new chief conductor from autumn 2017 will be on the conductor’s podium: Finnish Santtu-Matias Rouvali. He represents the younger generation of conductors and has been acclaimed for his organic musical approach and strong charisma.