Philzuid

From the Northern Lights to endless mountains and lakes. In Scandinavia, everyone is proud of their deep connection to the overwhelming nature. Composers have inspiration right at their fingertips. The highly versatile French conductor Ariane Matiakh leads Philzuid on a journey through colorful Scandinavia. The Norwegian Romantic composer Edvard Grieg strung one fabulous melody after another. With his Peer Gynt Suite, Grieg wrote a classic that has been embraced by generations of music lovers. From the life-embracing Morning Mood to the intense mourning tones of Åse’s Death. Grieg’s lyrical Piano Concerto is also one of the most beloved concert works in music history. Deeply Romantic, it is filled with melodies that exude the melancholic, Norwegian national character. Grieg wrote the piece during a blissful period in his life, as he had just married his beloved, singer Nina Hagerup. After an explosive opening, Grieg maintains a tight emotional tension throughout his three-movement Piano Concerto. The soloist is given plenty of room for nimble passages. A perfect fit for the Palestinian-Israeli pianist Saleem Ashkar, who is conquering the world’s stages. He has already performed at Carnegie Hall in New York and Konzerthaus in Berlin. Earlier, Ashkar recorded all of Beethoven’s sonatas. “His performances are among the best in this field,” judged Gramophone Magazine. Now, he dives into Grieg’s piano romance.

The Finnish national icon Jean Sibelius expressed his love for Finland and all its natural beauty in a series of expansive symphonic panoramas. The final piece is Sibelius’ Second Symphony. A triumphant symphony that firmly established Sibelius on the map. His Second was described in his homeland as a “symphony of independence.” Finland was increasingly breaking free from the Russian Empire, and Sibelius found the right tone. The four-movement symphony radiates hope for the future. The work was a worldwide success for Sibelius, and his triumph continues.

Programma

Grieg – Peer Gynt Suite nr. 1
Grieg – Pianoconcert
Sibelius – Symfonie nr.2