Umberto Clerici returns to conduct one of Tchaikovsky’s greatest symphonies.
The ‘Pathétique’ was the last symphony Tchaikovsky composed, and even he described it as "the best thing I have composed or will ever compose”.
Its passion, drama and raw emotion are conveyed through luscious melodies which sweep us along to the work’s cathartic conclusion.
The Mediterranean links the two first-half works.
The short, fast overture from Mozart’s ‘Abduction from the Seraglio’ opens with rousing percussion effects, which evoke the opera’s setting in Turkey.
Saint-Saëns’ fifth piano concerto is nicknamed the ‘Egyptian’ because it was composed in Luxor, Egypt, and because the music is among his most exotic, displaying influences from Javanese, Spanish and Middle Eastern music.
Our concerto soloist is eminent Australian pianist Konstantin Shamray.
Of his 2023 DSO performance, the Star commented he played “with consummate skill, while bringing all the emotions to the fore”.
For more information please visit www.dso.org.nz/events/clerici-conducts-tchaikovsky
