Iceland Symphony Orchestra performance streamed live this evening

Yan Pascal Tortelier and Nikolai Lugansky at rehearsals at Harpa …

Yan Pascal Tortelier and Nikolai Lugansky at rehearsals at Harpa yesterday. Photo: Valgarður Gíslason

Tonight the Iceland Symphony Orchestra opens its season and welcomes its new Chief Conductor, Yan Pascal Tortelier, to the stage. 

Yan Pascal Tortelier offers a colourful and magnificent programme for his first concert as Chief Conductor of the ISO.

Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto no. 3 is one of the most demanding pieces ever written for the instrument, as it was tailor-made for the composer's very large hands. With the film Shine, which featured Australian pianist David Helfgott's battle with “Rach 3”, the concerto joined the ranks of the most popular classical compositions of all time.

Russian pianist Nikolai Lugansky is certainly up to the challenge, however. He catapulted to fame after winning the silver medal at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1994 and has performed in major concert halls around the world. As a chamber musician, he has collaborated with artists such as Anna Netrebko and Joshua Bell. 

Ravel's expansive masterpiece tells the story of the problems faced by lovers Daphnis and Chloe when Chloe is kidnapped by pirates. At this concert, Tortelier conducts his favourite movements from the ballet, taking the audience on a varied and fascinating musical journey. 

Tonight's concert will be the first concert in the ISO's history that is streamed live. 

You can watch it at 7.30 pm Icelandic time on www.sinfonia.is

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