French colors & Scandinavian rhythms with Debussy, Grieg and Bizet

The opening concert of Sinfonia Rotterdam conducted by Conrad van Alphen brings together three works, each in its own way showing how melody and orchestral clarity took shape around the end of the nineteenth century. Debussy’s Clair de lune sounds in the orchestration of André Caplet, in which the well-known piano work unfolds into a subtle orchestral work full of nuance and colour.

Grieg’s Piano Concerto, his only piano concerto and one of his most beloved compositions, combines virtuosity with lyricism. The piano is central, but is in constant dialogue with the orchestra, in which echoes of Norwegian folk music resound. The solo part is performed by Anna Fedorova. This internationally acclaimed Ukrainian pianist is praised for her romantic interpretations.

The programme concludes with Bizet’s First Symphony: a sparkling four-movement work in which melodic richness and transparent orchestration are central. Originally not performed during his lifetime, the work was later rediscovered and praised for the young composer’s melodic invention and mature compositional technique.

Enjoy these three masterpieces that together form a rich palette full of refinement and energy, with French colors and Scandinavian rhythms.

Sinfonia Rotterdam
Conrad van Alphen  – dirigent
Anna Fedorova  – piano

foto Anna Fedorova © Marco Borggreve