Mussorgsky's dramatic and full-blooded depiction of a witches' Sabbath is one of his most successful short pieces. After a riotous night, the frenzied participants are dispersed by dawn and church bells. Stravinsky's Violin Concerto takes its cue from the baroque suite, with four short movements which each start with the same chord. After a busy toccata come two Bach-like arias, and the piece ends with a playful capriccio. Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra is a late masterpiece in five movements, commissioned by the Boston Symphony Orchestra to try to help the composer in his difficult period of exile in America. Filled with orchestral colour and bursting with ideas, it is perhaps the composer's most approachable work, building steadily to an exultant and affirmative conclusion.
More concerts at The Anvil:
Denève conducts in Basingstoke
Apr 07 2010, 19:45 - The Anvil
Stephane Denève is joined by Lars Vogt for Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23 in Basingstoke.
Hugh Wolff in Basingstoke
May 14 2010, 19:45 - The Anvil
Hugh Wolff conducts a programme of English music in Basingstoke, joined by violinist Gil Shaham.







