MPO presents German masterpieces

THE Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) is gearing up for Grandeur & Triumph, a showcase of German classical masterpieces, this Saturday at 8.30pm and Sunday at 3pm at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) in KLCC.

Russian maestro Stanislav Kochanovsky ( right) returns to the DFP podium for the first time since 2016.

Over the years, he has collaborated with the Moscow and St Petersburg Philharmonics as well as the Mariinsky Symphony. He also performed with the Rotterdam Philharmonic, NHK Symphony, and orchestras in Italy and Australia.

The programme for this weekend concerts begins with Wagner’s prelude to the warm-hearted and comic opera Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, written in 1862.

It acts as a musical condensation of the entire opera, with a sturdy theme of the Mastersingers as a corporate entity.

The opera premiered in Munich in 1868 and draws inspiration from the historical figure of Hans Sachs and the German Mastersingers.

After the interval, the MPO will return to present Mahler’s Symphony No.7, which is the last of this composer’s 10 symphonies.

Premiered in Prague in 1908, this work is no less fascinating, thrilling and sublime than any other of Mahler’s symphonies.

By the end of its 75-minute span, it is unlikely that anyone in the audience will remain unmoved by its audacity and stunning power.

For more, visit the MPO website.