What music could be more fitting for the dark days of November than Rachmaninov’s brooding Isle of the Dead? This symphonic poem was inspired by one of Symbolism’s most iconic paintings—Arnold Böcklin’s haunting vision of a ghostly boat gliding towards a desolate island. In the music’s ominous undercurrent, one can hear the steady rhythm of oars—or perhaps the breath of unseen forces.
The week before this concert, Carl Maria von Weber’s supernatural opera Der Freischütz opens on the Main Stage. On the very day of its world premiere, von Weber completed his Concert Piece for piano and orchestra—so what better occasion to include it in this programme? The soloist is the Göteborg Opera’s pianist, Michael Sikich.
Mozart’s final symphony, the so-called Jupiter Symphony, is his most radiant and accomplished. A miraculous masterpiece. The nickname Jupiter was only added long after Mozart’s death, but whether it refers to the mighty planet, the Roman god, or the genius of Mozart himself, you can decide.
The conductor for this concert is Aivis Greters, who will also conduct the new production of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte.
