Nicola Benedetti, photo: Decca - Simon Fowler
One of the world's leading conductors, the charismatic Valery Giergev brings the London Symphony Orchestra for a fascinating four-concert residency at the Usher Hall
The series of concerts which are a highlight of the Edinburgh International Festival, and form part of the Polska Arts in Edinburgh endevour, contrast the glowing nobility of Brahms with the exotic, perfumed passions of Szymanowski.
The first concert to launch the series features Szymanowski's Symphony No 1 and Violin Concert No 1, with the soloist Nicola Benedetti on violin. It was her performance of Szymanowski’s Violin Concerto No 1 that won Ayrshire-born violinist Nicola Benedetti the BBC Young Musician title in 2004 at the age of 16, and the Polish composer’s sensuous, mystical music has been in her blood ever since.
The following day, Szymanowski's Second Symphony is on the programme. The dramatic piece which shows the impact of Mahler and Richard Strauss, as well as the lush impressionism of Debussy, is contrasted with what is considered Brahms' sunniest symphony - Symphony No 2.
The third concert on the 18th of August presents Szymanowski’s Third Symphony. One of the composer’s most admired and most sumptuous works, this intoxicating creation for tenor soloist, choir and orchestra describes the soul’s communication with God during a starlit Persian night.
The LSO concert series are concluded with the performance of Szymanowski's Symphony No 4 and Violin Concerto No 2.
The LSO concerts of Karol Szymanowski's music are preceeded by a study event entitled Szymanowski’s Homeland – Europe’s Forgotten Orient.
Born in 1953, the Russian Valery Gergiev is an opera company director and one of the world's most renowned conductors. His principal conducting teacher was Prof. Ilya Musin, one of the greatest conductor-makers in Russian musical history. Gergiev is general director and artistic director of the Mariinsky Theatre, principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, and artistic director of the White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg.
In June 2011, Gergiev assumed a highly prominent reformist role as chairman of the International Tchaikovsky Competition. He replaced academic judges with famous performers and introduced an openness to the process, arranging for all performances to be streamed live and free on the internet and for the judges and the contest was considered a massive personal triumph. Gergiev's conducting style is considered by many to be abrasive yet passionate. He is thought of as a "driven" conductor who is at his best in highly dramatic works. Curiously, he often conducts using a toothpick for a baton.
Gergiev first guest-conducted the London Symphony Orchestra in 1988, but it was his 2004 appearance with the LSO (which had him conduct the seven symphonies of Sergei Prokofiev) that led to his appointment in 2005 as the Orchestra's fifteenth principal conductor, succeeding Sir Colin Davis effective January 1, 2007.
Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading orchestras, London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), was founded in 1904. Since its formation it has always attracted excellent players from all over the world, many of whom have flourishing solo, chamber music and teaching careers alongside their orchestral work. The LSO draws on an enviable roster of soloists and conductors,
For more on the Polish composer, see: www.karolszymanowski.pl
LSO Concert series at the EIF:
16 Aug at 8:00 pm
17 Aug at 8:00 pm
18 Aug at 7:30 pm
19 Aug at 7:30 pm
Usher Hall / Lothian Road (EH1 2EA)
For details on the LSO Concert programme, see: London Symphony Orchestra performs music from Karol Szymanowski