The ERT National Symphony Orchestra invites us on a captivating musical journey, setting off from 19th-century French music and arriving at the dance traditions of Latin America.
L’Arlésienne by GEORGES BIZET was composed in 1872 as incidental music for Alphonse Daudet’s play of the same name. Although the production itself was unsuccessful, the two orchestral suites drawn from the stage music — the first compiled by the composer and the second, after his death, by Ernest Guiraud — achieved lasting popularity. Bizet incorporates traditional melodies and dances of Provence, bringing to life a world rich in colour and brilliance.
In Pavane pour une infante défunte, MAURICE RAVEL’s lucid, impressionistic palette creates a nostalgic reverie around a slow Renaissance dance.
GEORGE GERSHWIN’s Rhapsody in Blue (1924) was written in less than five weeks, commissioned by conductor Paul Whiteman in an attempt to bridge jazz and the symphonic tradition. According to Leonard Bernstein, one would be hard-pressed to find “such a gifted melodist after Tchaikovsky”. The work became a symbol of American musical identity, its opening clarinet glissando as instantly recognisable as the four-note “fate” motif of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.
The programme concludes with the immensely popular Danzón No. 2 by ARTURO MÁRQUEZ, inspired by the Cuban-born dance tradition that flourished in Mexico.
MEGARON OPEN TO ALL
As part of its commitment to expanding the inclusivity of its educational activities, Megaron – The Athens Concert Hall offers this Sunday Concert in an accessible format for children with visual and neurodevelopmental disabilities. The programmes are implemented in collaboration with the cultural organisation Liminal and are supported by Alpha Bank.
Children with disabilities are encouraged to arrive 20 minutes before the start of the concert in order to take part in a tactile tour, meet the performers and familiarise themselves with the venue.
Participation in the accessible programme and tactile tour must be arranged in advance by telephone at +30 210 7282333 (Monday–Friday, 10:00–17:00) or by email at tickets@megaron.gr
ACCESSIBILITY SPONSOR
