Spanish Sounds

GEORGES BIZET
Carmen Suite No. 1

ALBERTO GINASTERA
Concerto for Harp and Orchestra, op. 25

MAURICE RAVEL
Alborada del Gracioso
Rapsodie espagnole
Pavane pour une infante défunte
Boléro

BASQUE NATIONAL ORCHESTRA
ROBERT TREVINO Conductor
XAVIER DE MAISTRE Harp

If you ask a real Basque percussionist about the origin of the Boléro, you will hear that it is an ancient dance from his homeland. Well, the form certainly comes from the Iberian Peninsula and the most brilliant composition based on it was written by Maurice Ravel, whose mother was Basque. The Basque National Orchestra, conducted by the young maestro Robert Trevino, who comes from the USA, interprets four of Ravel's Iberian-inspired pieces. In addition to the Boléro, which explodes with sensual pleasure, the melancholy Pavane and the fine atmospheric pictures "Rhapsodie espagnole" and "Alborada del gracioso". Of course, the first Suite from Georges Bizet's immortal "Carmen" is a perfect match. The Basque Country lies on the Atlantic. Alberto Ginastera's ancestors emigrated across it from Spain to Argentina. The descendant became one of the greatest composers of South America in the 20th century. His virtuoso harp concerto, shimmering in many colours, is played by Xavier de Maistre, a male master of this supposedly so feminine instrument.

Tickets: € 29 – € 99

Introductory lecture: 6.15 p.m., Fördererlounge