Debussy & Boulanger

Alan Gilbert is back! The former chief conductor of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as Conductor Laureate, leads the orchestra in a French-inspired programme. During his period as chief conductor of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra between 2000–2008, he led several acclaimed tours and concerts and helped to advance the orchestra’s position in the international arena. Since his time with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Alan Gilbert has served as chief conductor of the New York Philharmonic and he is the recently appointed chief conductor of the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester in Hamburg.

Impressionist Claude Debussy’s Images is a dazzlingly beautiful, colourful musical adventure. He had initially intended the musical images for piano, but fortunately realised their potential and arranged the music for orchestra.

After hearing Lili Boulanger’s Faust et Hélène, Debussy wrote “...she is only 19 years old. But her skill at composing music is much greater!” Lili Boulanger was incredibly gifted but suffered from Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory illness. When her health permitted it, she attended lectures at the Paris Conservatory and was soon admitted to Paul Vidal’s composition class. This authorised her to participate in the prestigious Prix de Rome composition contest. The following year, she became the first woman ever to win the contest with the late Romantic, intriguing and dramatic cantata, Faust et Hélène.

KonserthusetPlay – Gilbert conducts Bruckner
Bruckner’s Eighth Symphony is dazzling, unadulterated musical splendour. This powerful symphony is performed here by the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Conductor Laureate Alan Gilbert. Listen