TPO’S FOUNDER RETURNS FOR EVENING OF DVORAK
Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra’s honorary founding chief conductor Gudni Emilsson returns to lead the orchestra during the “Emilsson On Dvorak” concert at Mahidol University’s Prince Mahidol Hall, Salaya campus, on Friday at 7pm and Saturday at 4pm. The programme will feature Symphony No.7, Op 70, one of the great symphonies of the 19th century by Czech composer Antonin Dvorak who was inspired by his mentor, Johannes Brahms, to develop his extraordinary musical talents. Though Dvorak wrote his symphony in D minor as a commission from London, it was hearing Brahms’ Third Symphony that motivated him to complete arguably his finest piece. Tragic but ultimately hopeful and optimistic, the symphony is also harmonically rich and emotionally openhearted — qualities that Brahms must have appreciated in his protégé. Balancing the programme will be Georges Bizet’s dazzling music from his unique masterpieces, Carmen Suite No.1, for the powerful opera for which he is remembered today. It offers a five- course sampler of his skill for creating lasting melodies of graceful inventiveness that somehow sound as they have been with us always.
The repertoire also includes Christopher Theofanidis’ Bassoon Concerto, a work composed especially for Estonian bassoon virtuoso Martin Kuuskmann who will join the orchestra as guest soloist.
The Grammy-nominated musician is one of the most charismatic wind players of his generation, a nuanced performer with a stage presence that has won him a dedicated international following.
Tickets cost 400, 600, 800, 1,000 and 1,500 baht (half prices for students under 25 years) and can be purchased from Thai Ticket Major outlets (visit thaiticketmajor. com or call 02-262-3456) and PHM Box Office (call 062-526-6645 or 02-849-6565/6 ext 6603/4 and 6624).