CONCERT EVENINGS THAT TELL STORIES

Elim Chan, Artistic Partner of the Wiener Symphoniker, presents herself in two major concerts. The Hong Kong-born conductor is known for her compelling programmes that draw audiences into an emotional whirl. In one evening, she embarks on an intense fairytale journey with Sergei Prokofiev’s Cinderella, Sofia Gubaidulina’s fairy-tale poem, and Alfred Schnittke’s Violin Concerto No. 4 (with Gidon Kremer). In another, she dances through a demanding programme featuring Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake alongside works by Britten, Stravinsky and Debussy - together with pianist Leif Ove Andsnes.

Early music specialist Ton Koopman conducts Mozart’s moving Requiem, while former Chief Conductor of the Wiener Symphoniker Philippe Jordan returns with Mahler’s Symphony No. 7. Another major orchestral epic is Mendelssohn Bartholdy’s Elijah, conducted by Manfred Honeck.

Programmes that open the ears of the audience simply through the juxtaposition of works are presented by Ádám Fischer, who brings Haydn and Brahms together, and Robin Ticciati, who combines Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24 (with Alexandra Dovgan) with Bruckner’s Symphony No. 9. Finnish conductor Eva Ollikainen appears with the acclaimed vocal ensemble Cantando Admont, pairing Luciano Berio’s graceful and rarely performed Sinfonia for eight voices with the impressionistic sound worlds of Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. An evening of pure sensuality.