The Paris Festival: Week Two
Thursday, January 19 8:00 PM
Friday, January 20 2:00 PM
Saturday, January 21 8:00 PM
Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor
Louis Lortie Piano
Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1
Stravinsky Petrushka
On our second visit to Paris, Yannick and the Orchestra feature two brilliant musical expats who made the French capital their home, while never forgetting their native land. Frédéric Chopin wrote his Piano Concerto No. 1 before he left Poland in 1830; political upheaval drove him to Paris, where he remained for the rest of his life, dazzling the city (and audiences and critics throughout the world) with his extraordinary performing and composing skills. The Concerto is thus a fascinating look at a genius in transition. Our soloist, Chopin-specialist Louis Lortie, will bring out all the riches of this piano masterwork. Igor Stravinsky enjoyed remarkable success and support in Paris, but kept strong ties to his roots. His music for the ballet Petrushka, based on Russia’s version of Punch and Judy, premiered in Paris in 1911, with the immortal Nijinsky in the title role.