Take a journey to Paris during the Bella Époque ("Beautiful Era")—a period when France was free of wars, living standards rose faster than ever before, and a golden age of the arts flourished. With intriguing new influence from exotic faraway lands, a fascination with fantasy, and a desire to push the envelope, the Bella Époque marks one of the most stimulating periods in all of music. It's a period of musical discovery—an exciting awakening of a new era.
Experience it all during the 2009 Winter Festival — Paris: Fantasy & Discovery.
MARC-ANDRÉ HAMELIN
piano
JÄRVI AND THE KEYBOARD
Paris: Fantasy & Discovery, week 1
Celebrate the French joie de vivre in the opening program of the 2009 Winter Festival. Applauded by The San Francisco Chronicle for his “breathtaking display of fiery virtuosity and interpretive subtlety,” Marc-André Hamelin treats you to a double bill of Ravel’s awe-inspiring Concerto for the Left Hand and Saint-Saëns’s Africa Fantasy, which offers an exciting tour of exotic lands and oriental undertones. Finally, Saint-Saëns’s “Organ” Symphony will blow the roof off with its sheer power and exploding colors.
PAMELA ARMSTRONG soprano
MAJESTY & MISCHIEF
Paris: Fantasy & Discovery, week 2
In the second week of the 2009 Winter Festival, Paul Dukas’s Sorcerer’s Apprentice will amuse you with images of magical mischief and themes you will remember from Disney’s Fantasia. Fauré’s Pavane is a serene palate-cleanser that will provide a pleasant contrast. Ravel’s Shéhérazade casts a sensuous spell and takes you to a world of exotic fantasy and mystery. Finally, César Franck’s Symphony in D Minor evokes the grandeur of European tradition.
KRISTJAN JÄRVI
conductor
IDYLLIC IMPRESSIONISM
Paris: Fantasy & Discovery, week 3
In the tranquil Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, Debussy portrays the hazy desires and dreams of a faun in the heat of the afternoon. Milhaud’s music is a raucous romp of popular Brazilian tunes that was originally written to be the score for a silent Charlie Chaplin film. Revel in the height of impressionism as the carnal tale of Daphnis and Chloe unfolds. With pirates, nymphs and bird songs all painted in a veil of impressionistic colors, this love story builds to an erotic tumult you won’t soon forget.
* Classical conversations with guest conductors begin one hour before the concert and are free to all ticket holders.
