Rachmaninoff’s Paganini Variations is essentially a piano concerto in which the atmosphere constantly shifts, from melancholic and sensual to flashy and exuberant. But you also immediately understand why the composer had it turned into a ballet: the capricious music evokes the image of a musician challenging the Devil. You should hear it for the penetrating, sensual melody that rises halfway through the piece alone. And, of course, to see the phenomenal pianist Alexei Volodin in action.

A perfect appetizer is the equally ‘diabolical’ Nautilus by Anna Meredith. It is a playful yet terrifying—almost electronic—short piece of which she subsequently created a crushing orchestral version. And a symphony titled ‘The Unquenchable’ must be unusual. By this, the Danish composer Nielsen meant his own boundless zest for life, even though he wrote the piece while the First World War was raging through Europe. It is exciting, captivating music with—very special—a duel between timpani players as the highlight.

By the way, a concert with the young, infectious conductor Kerem Hasan is always irresistible.

Program

A. Meredith
Nautilus

S. Rachmaninoff
Rhapsody on the them of Paganini, op.43

C. Nielsen 
Symphony nr.4, op.29 “Die Unauslöschliche”