2016 Montpellier Occitan Festival and a performance by the French National Orchestra, conducted by John Neschling and featuring the much celebrated young French pianist Bertrand Chamayou in a performance of Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto Number 5 “Egyptian”. With the second half featuring soprano Hartelius and baritone Christian Immler in a performance of Alexander Zemlinsky‘s Lyric Symphony.
The concert was recorded by the always brilliant Radio France Musique on July 26th 2016.
The Montpellier Occitan Festival quickly became one of my favorites in 2016, just by the number of really interesting works being performed and the excellent musicians and ensembles taking part. Luckily, most all of it was preserved by Radio France.
2016 was a good Festival season all around – a lot to hear and much to see. At the time I kept saying it was an embarrassment of riches, because it was. Chamayou handled the popular Saint-Saëns concert with great finesse and charm – and the audience was suitably grateful, as the storm of applause prompted a Ravel encore.
The second half was given over entirely to the Zemlinsky piece; a composer who has gained substantially in stature over the last few decades. If you aren’t familiar, hit “search” and avail yourself of an amazing body of work.
Here’s how the concert broke down:
Part 1: Camille Saint-Saëns: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 5 in F Maj. op.103 “The Egyptian” with Bertrand Chamayou, solo.
Part 2 Alexander Zemlinsky: Lyric Symphony after poems of Rabindranath Tagore for soprano, baritone and orchestra op.18: Ich well Friedlos, bin ich nach durstig fernen Dingen O Mutter, der junge Prinz Du bist die Abendwolke Sprich zu mir Geliebter Befrei mich von den Banden deiner Süße, Lieg Vollende denn das letzte Lied Friede, mein Herz.
Enjoy and play often.
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