The skilled Stephane Denève returns to Gothenburg with a whimsical winter concert featuring a French twist. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is filled with magic brooms and cauldrons bubbling with witch’s brew.
With a touch of magic, Mickey Mouse gets the brooms to march in the Disney film Fantasia. The theme musicof the film is Paul Dukas’ masterpiece, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Dukas was a productive composer, but disposed of most of his works just before his death in 1935. As if by magic, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice was preserved. It was simply made for film and fantasy. Now we hear this work when the skilled Stephane Denève returns to Gothenburg for a whimsical winter concert featuring a French twist.
In Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2, we hear the talented young Marie-Ange Nguci. She grew up in Albania and attended the Paris Conservatory at age 13. She has already won the hearts of audiences worldwide and we hear her in Gothenburg for the first time.
On this wintry French evening, the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra also performs Albert Roussel’s Symphony No. 3. And because it has been 150 years since the birth of Maurice Ravel, we finish the evening in style with La Valse – Ravel’s cheeky wink to Strauss the Younger, and to Viennese waltzes. Quite simply a magical introduction to holiday festivities.
