Adventurous top soloists Nicolas Altstaedt, Kian Soltani & Radio Philharmonic Orchestra

A colourful Iranian world premiere

Witold Lutosławski is considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century. His Celloconcert with its characteristic, minute-long introduction for the solo cello and exciting orchestration gives the soloist every opportunity to shine and tell their story. The concerto is one of many works dedicated to Mstislav Rostropovitsj, who premiered the work in 1970.

The Iranian-Dutch composer Aftab Darvishi is writing a new cello concerto for the Iranian-Austrian cellist Kian Soltani and the Radio Filharmonisch Orkest, which is a guest at the Biënnale for the first time. In the often lyrical and emotional compositions of Aftab Darvishi, the cultural heritage from Iran is strongly present. Together with Kian Soltani, she explores the possibilities of having the typical timbres of the Iranian tradition expressed through the cello.

Unable to get a ticket? You can also listen to the concert during the NTR ZaterdagMatinee in het Concertgebouw on 31 October.