Stravinsky, Beethoven, and de Falla on tour with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra

Mar 31, 2019

Pablo Heras-Casado begins the month joining the Mahler Chamber Orchestra for a series of concerts with appearances by additional soloists, including pianist Alexander Melnikov, and mezzo sopranos Marina Heredia and Carmen Romeu. The performances feature richly varied programs with works by Stravinsky, Beethoven, and de Falla; plus a new work by Dutch composer Mayke Nas, commissioned by NTR Saturday Matinee.

On April 6 at the Concertgebouw, Heras-Casado returns to make his last appearance in the Amsterdam series as Spotlight Artist. The concert in Amsterdam will be broadcasted live on NRT Radio and NPO Radio 4. Joining him and the MCO is the Dutch chamber ensemble, Asko | Schönberg. Together they perform the world premiere of Mayke Nas’ neo-minimal work, Horseless Carriage. Also on the program are Stravinsky’s Suite from Pulcinella; Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1, interpreted by Alexander Melnikov; de Falla’s El amor brujo, featuring Marina Heredia, and his El sombrero de tres picos, featuring Carmen Romeu. Further tour dates include April 7 at the Kongresshaus Stadthalle Heidelberg; April 10 at L’Auditori Barcelona; April 11 at Auditorio de Zaragoza; and concluding on April 12 at Auditorio de Murcia.

Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite is from his neo-classical ballet Pulcinella, which is based on the stock character of the same name originating from the Commedia dell’Arte tradition. Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 (actually the third piano concerto he completed), provoked audiences at the time of its premiere, and foreshadowed the composer’s innovation to the genre. Both of Manuel de Falla’s works were composed as music for ballets. They have become staples in the standard chamber repertoire for their incorporation of folklore into classical forms and structures. This year marks the centenary celebration of the premiere of de Falla’s El sombrero de tres picos, and the performance during the tour will be recorded for a future record release on harmonia mundi.