French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet is set to perform with Taiwan’s National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) in Taipei and Kaohsiung this week.
The concert in Taipei will take place at the National Concert Hall on Friday, September 27, while the Kaohsiung performance is scheduled for Saturday at the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts.
The first half of the concert will feature Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 5, followed by Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 in the second half. Both compositions draw inspiration from the composers’ travels.
Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 5, known as the “Egyptian,” offers a vibrant fusion of French elegance and Egyptian exoticism, capturing the composer’s impressions of Cairo.
In Symphony No. 2, Brahms employs intricate orchestral techniques to create a stunning representation of the serene beauty surrounding Austria’s Lake Wörthersee. The symphony’s four movements showcase Brahms’ musical brilliance and creativity.
NSO Music Director Jun Markl praised Thibaudet as “one of the greatest pianists of our time,” noting their 30-year friendship and numerous collaborations over the years.
Thibaudet is a versatile pianist with expertise in solo performances, concertos, chamber music, jazz, and contemporary music, boasting over 50 recordings to his name.
Gramophone magazine lauded Thibaudet’s rendition of Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 5, emphasizing his ability to capture the composer’s bold ideas and vividly convey the imagery of the Nile River landscape.
Thibaudet described the concerto as a beautiful and diverse piece that is rarely performed by other pianists, expressing his enjoyment of playing it in various locations.
Related Topics
- Dom Pipkin: Bringing the Sounds of New Orleans to London
- The Story of Guitar Heroes: A Tribute to Iconic Guitarists Set to Rock Basingstoke
- Ron Thorn’s Florentine Empirial: A Stunning Masterpiece of Guitar Craftsmanship
