Freddie Mercury, lead singer of the legendary rock group Queen, wanted Queen’s songs to lead to new interpretations. That’s exactly what English composer and conductor Tolga Kashif did when he composed The Queen Symphony. Based on the characteristic melodic lines and chords of the Queen songs, he wrote a six-part symphony for choir, orchestra with leading roles for violin, cello and piano solo. The work premiered in London in the presence of Queen guitarist and drummer Brian May and Roger Taylor, and Freddie Mercury’s mother. “Imagine a composer with the imagination and daring of a Tchaikovsky or Mussorgsky, with access to the entire catalog of Queen melodies, moods and textures, and a large orchestra and choir. Then you can almost imagine where the Queen symphony begins. This is something monumental and exceptional.” (Brian May). Before the break, the orchestra presents the world premiere of It comes from afar by the Dutch composer Martijn Padding and the enchanting symphonic poem Per la flor de Lliri Blau by the Spanish grandmaster Joachim Rodrigo

Program:

Martijn Padding It comes from afar (world premiere)
Joaquín Rodrigo Per la flor del lliri blau
Tolga Kashif The Queen Symphony, version for concert band, choir and soloists