Reviving the era of Romanticism

Abu Dhabi Classics brings an eclectic mixture of genres, ranging from the works of eminent Scandinavian composers to epoch-making Oscar-winning film scores this weekend

By Layla Haroon

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Published: Thu 5 Feb 2009, 9:09 PM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 11:23 PM

FEBRUARY IS KNOWN as the Month of Love, more due to the explosive impulses of the Valentine’s Day. Delving into this theme, Abu Dhabi Classics is all set to gather momentum this month to present a strong affinity with the sound and style of late romantic music.

An eclectic mixture of genres, ranging from the works of eminent Scandinavian composers to an epoch-making Oscar-winning film scores, will embrace a distinctive programme this weekend in the Emirates Palace Auditorium.

The evening’s programme, entitled Scandinavian Landscapes, features the internationally acclaimed Sibelius Academy Orchestra from Helsinki, under the baton of Finnish conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste.

The wide-open Nordic landscape will be evoked through the romantic music of Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite and the unfailingly energetic Humoresques by Jean Sibelius, which will display the exceptional talents of Norwegian violinist Henning Kraggerud.

A change of musical pace takes place on Saturday, as the Emirates Palace Auditorium resounds to the haunting strains of Beethoven, Brahms and Rachmaninoff with an evening of chamber music celebrating the romantic cello. The great Latvian-born cellist Mischa Maisky will treat the audience to an evening of intensely poignant cello sonatas, accompanied by the award-winning pianist and teacher Pavel Gililov.

The second weekend brings The Lord of the Rings Symphony in another concert first for the emirate.

Showcasing the combined talents of musicians and singers from both East and West, the concert will feature the renowned German Radio Philharmonic and the spellbinding voices of the chorus Orpheus from Sofia, Bulgaria, as well as the youthful enthusiasm and emerging talent of the United Abu Dhabi Children’s Chorus, the established vocal skills of the Abu Dhabi Chamber Choir and the Al Khubairat Singers. At the helm will be Markus Huber, who has conducted The Lord of the Rings Symphony around the world.

The show will also present the music of the legendary Canadian composer, conductor and producer Howard Shore, who created the score for The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Finally, bringing February’s world-class international calendar of concerts to a passionate and dynamic close is the King of the Gypsy violinist, Hungarian Roby Lakatos

Event Details

Scandinavian Landscapes

February 6

The Romantic Cello

February 7

The Lord of the Rings Symphony

February 13

King of the Gypsy Violinists

February 14

citytime@emirates.net.ae


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