Ultimate Romantics 2: Gurrelieder

Fri 27 Feb 2009 7:30pm at Symphony Hall

Conductor Esa - Pekka Salonen

In the second of our ‘Ultimate Romantics’ concerts, the high-voltage combination of Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Philharmonia Orchestra unleash one of the ultimate and most gorgeous of all romantic experiences. Schoenberg’s lavish Gurrelieder is the epic and upernatural tale of King Waldemar and his love for Tove, resident of castle Gurre. From the sumptuous love music of the opening to the fantastical Wild Hunt of spectres, this thrilling, kaleidoscopic score never lets the listener go. This is the only performance of this unmissable event outside london: we promise that you will love it!

BBC Music magazine’s Editor, Oliver Condy, explains why he has recommended tonight’s concert:
“Before Schoenberg experimented with the atonal composing system that has given him a certain reputation among audiences, he wrote several highly romantic, lush works including Gurrelieder. Think Wagner, Mahler and a hint of Bruckner and you get the idea. It’s one of the most OTT works of the 20th century – and wonderful for it!”

BBC Music Magazine

6.15pm pre-concert talk

Tickets £5-£37.50

Philharmonia Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor
Ladies of the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus
Men of the Philharmonia Voices
Soile Isokosk Tove
Monica Groop Waldtaube
Stig Andersen Waldemar
Andreas Conrad_ Klaus-Narr_
Ralf LukasBauer
Barbara SukowaSpeaker