Encounter between two young masters

Nature images by Sebastian Fagerlund

In 2016, the Matinee featured Ignite by the Finn Sebastian Fagerlund. A score with the impact of a herd of stampeding elephants. The resounding success resulted in an appointment as Composer in Residence of Het Concertgebouw. In Amsterdam, Fagerlund completed an orchestral trilogy that begins with Drifts and concludes with Water Atlas. Ecstatic images of nature sound impressionistic.

Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto and the Paintings from an Exhibition

Painting with notes - Musorgsky could do that, too. His piano work (!) Paintings from an exhibition became famous in Ravel's masterful orchestration. The Russian translated the story into music, which seemed to develop from some 'folkish' drawings and travel reports by Viktor Hartmann. In this way, he brings the Limoges market to life: can you hear how the women exchange the latest news? With the angular dance rhythms in the finale of his most famous piano concerto, Tchaikovsky did not immediately endear himself to the 'neat' critics. Part two features one of the favourite songs of the Moscow-celebrated soprano Désirée Artôt. Tchaikovsky admired the Belgian so much that he even considered a marriage proposal.