Lang Lang, Klaus Mäkelä en het Concertgebouworkest met Saint-Saëns

Long Long

Piano phenomenon Lang Lang returns to the Concertgebouw Orchestra! Fortunately so, for Saint-Saëns' playful Second Piano Concerto calls for a versatile pianist due to its strong contrasts. The organ-like opening leans towards Bach, the central movement is a frivolous dance, and the Finale is a tempestuous tour de force. This irresistible piano concerto is the perfect introduction to Ravel's La valse , an exuberant and nostalgic dance party with a bitter undertone: history teaches us that every waltz could be the last.

Klaus Mäkela conducts the Concertgebouw Orchestra

Before we visit this French richness of color, the orchestra turns its gaze to the North with Klaus Mäkelä. The Finnish-to-be chief conductor has a razor-sharp vision of the music from his country. Lotta Wennäkoski's Flounce is one of those rare contemporary pieces that immediately became an international orchestral hit: everything revolves around light, clarity, and movement, as if the composer wants to defy gravity. Magnus Lindberg composed a new work especially for the Concertgebouw Orchestra—sounding proof of the special bond built up over the years. Lindberg always manages to conjure new sounds from the orchestra. He does not shy away from shock effects, but his music is above all 'emotional and very, very human,' as one reviewer wrote.