The Perth Concert Hall will take on a distinctly French feel in October when the West Australian Symphony Orchestra presents Gautier Capuçon Plays Tchaikovsky in the 2018 MACA Limited Classics Series followed by French Flair: Morlot, Capucon & Thibaudet the following week.
In Gautier Capucon Plays Tchaikovsky, superstar French cellist Gautier Capuçon (pictured above) returns to WASO to perform Tchaikovsky’s delightful Variations on a Rococo Theme, a work that combines elegance and grace with daring displays of technical brilliance.
Making his WASO debut in this concert, French conductor and World Artist Ludovic Morlot directs two evocative tone poems by Sibelius and Debussy that reflect the sea, like impressionist paintings rendered with music. Sibelius’ Oceanides has not previously been performed by WASO while Debussy’s La Mer was last performed in 2015.
This year also marks the centenary of Debussy’s death. The composer died during the Great War when Paris was under intensive bombardment by the German army; so he was not accorded the honour of a ceremonious funeral. This concert at least provides a fitting centenary tribute to the French genius.
The program also features two other works by Tchaikovsky and Sibelius: the former’s The Tempest Prelude was written as the incidental music for a Danish production of Shakespeare’s famous play while the latter’s Andante Cantabile, an arrangement for cello and string orchestra of the second movement of his String Quartet No.1 the most popular of his chamber works, is a new addition to the WASO repertoire.
A cello tour de force plus colourful impressions of the sea. This concert evokes French charm and brilliance in equal measure.
In the subsequent French Flair concerts, Morlot and Capuçon will be joined on stage by their French countryman, pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. Two of the greatest living French instrumentalists perform together for the very first time in Australia in a highlight of the WASO season – the world premiere of Swiss composer Richard Dubugnon’s Eros athanatos.
Setting the scene is Debussy’s Ibéria, music of dazzling expressive power, drenched in the intoxicating sounds of Spain. To conclude, Ludovic Morlot unleashes Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances – music of taut muscularity that showcases all the exceptional colours of the orchestra.
Tickets from $33 on sale now at WASO on 9326 0000 or waso.com.au
OIP Staff
