Sir Simon Rattle: As Chief Conductor of the BRSO, he has led the orchestra into a new era. His ability to illuminate complex modern scores with the same depth of detail as classical repertoire makes him the ideal interpreter for Stravinsky.
Stephen Hough: The British-Australian pianist is a true polymath – composer, author, and one of the world’s leading pianists. His playing is characterized by clarity, elegance, and impressive technical command.
Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks (BRSO): Regularly ranked among the top orchestras in the world, the BRSO is famous for its homogenous, brilliant sound and incredible stylistic flexibility.
- Conductor • Sir Simon Rattle
- Piano • Stephen Hough
- Orchestra • Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Program:
From Russian Soul-Drama to Rhythmic Revolution
The evening opens with a milestone of piano literature: Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30. Often referred to as the “Mount Everest” for pianists, this work demands not only stupendous technique but also profound emotional depth. With Stephen Hough, one of the most intellectual and technically brilliant pianists of our time, the audience can expect an interpretation that perfectly balances Rachmaninoff’s lyrical tenderness with his monumental power.
After the intermission, Sir Simon Rattle turns to two works by Igor Stravinsky that illustrate the composer’s immense creative evolution. The first is the Funeral Song, Op. 5, a work that was considered lost for over a century and was only rediscovered in 2015. It is Stravinsky’s deeply felt homage to his teacher Rimsky-Korsakov, bridging the gap between Russian tradition and Stravinsky’s own burgeoning style.
The crowning finale is The Rite of Spring (Le Sacre du printemps). This work, whose 1913 premiere in Paris triggered one of the most famous scandals in music history, changed orchestral language forever. With its archaic rhythms and raw, irrepressible energy, it is a showcase piece for the BRSO. Under Rattle’s precise yet passionate direction, the score will unfold its full, electrifying impact within the unique acoustics of La Scala.
- Sergei Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30
- Igor Stravinsky: Funeral Song, Op. 5
- Igor Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring (Le Sacre du printemps)