The Philharmonie de Paris hosted a 20th century music concert with the Filarmonica della Scala under the baton of Riccardo Chailly and the participation of violinist Maxim Vengerov.
Chailly had chosen 2 works from the 1940s, from composers who are rarely played in the same program: Shostakovich and Bartók.
The 1st piece was Dmitri Shostakovich 1st violin Concerto, which he wrote for the great David Oistrakh. It is a magnificent work, extremely demanding for the soloist. Vengerov, Chailly and the Scala orchestra offered a splendid version of the concerto. What fabulous introductory Nocturne: Moderato, and Passacaglia: Andante – Cadenza.
Vengerov was back for an encore, the Sarabande of Bach 2nd Partita.
In the second part of the concert, Chailly and the Scala played Béla Bartók glorious Concerto for Orchestra. I was particularly impressed and moved by the last 3 movements: Elegia. Andante non troppo, Intermezzo interrotto. Allegretto, Finale. Presto.
If the Elegia has some reminiscences of Bluebard Castle (and in the more paroxysmal parts also of the Miraculous Mandarin), the Intermezzo interrotto contains a quotation of Shostakovich 7th Symphony (himself quoting Lehar in a humorous way). So I was expecting something like Rossini William Tell Overture which Shostakovich also quoted, if the performers were to give an encore. Rossini it was, but the long Overture of Semiramide…
Riccardo Chailly, Maxim Vengerov
Maxim Vengerov
Riccardo Chailly, Filarmonica della Scala
Riccardo Chailly
