November 17  •  8 pm Sat
Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre

Bronfman & Beethoven

 Christopher Wilkins, conductor • Yefim Bronfman, piano

A legendary pianist performs Beethoven’s majestic ‘Emperor’ concerto. Two musical tributes sustain the heroic mood: Stella Sung’s salute to the Philharmonic’s own heroes and Elgar’s masterpiece honoring his closest friends.

SUNG | Into Light (world premiere)*
ELGAR | Enigma Variations
BEETHOVEN |  Piano Concerto No. 5 ‘Emperor’

In a spirit of gratefulness, the Orlando Philharmonic dedicates this program to all who have championed the orchestra throughout its 20-year history. Elgar’s Variations on an Original Theme is – even more than Beethoven’s ‘Emperor’ Concerto – an expression of the composer’s affection for lifelong friends. Click to read more of Christopher Wilkins’  “Insights.”

 *Commissioned in honor of Lynn & Chuck Steinmetz, recipients of the 2012 John Blackburn Distinguished Service Award

“What made time pass quickly was Mr. Bronfman’s astonishing performance. He mastered every challenge: thick chords that leap across the keyboard; spiraling bursts of runs and sputtering arpeggios; cascades of double thirds; finger-twisting counterpoint; on and on. … Mr. Bronfman is a pianist with comprehensive skills who can seemingly play anything.  He gave a brilliant and triumphant performance.”          – The New York Times

Read more about Yefim Bronfman

Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 ‘Emperor’

The opening Allegro is one of the largest sonata-form movements Beethoven ever penned. It opens majestically with the orchestra playing a series of broad chords, the piano extending each of these with wide arpeggios in an improvisatory and rhapsodic manner. The piano then steps aside and the orchestra unfolds the two main themes in a magnificent exposition. Unlike most Classical concertos where the listener waits for the dramatic entrance of the soloist, in the Emperor we are filled with suspense as to when the piano makes its return appearance. After a transition theme, the soloist is brought back in for a second exposition with his version of the thematic material. (Excerpt from program notes by Dave Glerum WMFE-FM/NPR, Orlando, FL – 1990-2009. Read the complete program notes.

Click below to hear selections from Bronfman’s CD, Perspectives. 

 All Programs & Artists subject to change.