Everyone immediately recognizes the beginning of Grieg’s Piano Concerto: the swelling timpani beats, the resolute piano chords. An absolute classic, performed with striking schwung by soloist Antti Siirala. In his Piano Concerto , Grieg expressed love for Norway and his newborn daughter. The premiere of the work, which is among the hallowed successes of classical music, marked the breakthrough for “the Chopin of the North. Shostakovich’s idiosyncratic Sixth Symphony is in the best hands with guest conductor Daniel Raiskin, trained in St. Petersburg. He makes his debut tonight at TivoliVredenburg.

The Residentie Orkest conducted by Daniel Raiskin adds Shostakovich’s Sixth Symphony and a new work by Knigge.

Max Knigge is one of the most promising composers of his generation. Eliza May is named after the protagonist of Het lied van ooievaar en dromedaris by Anjet Daanje, one of the biggest literary successes in recent years. Knigge has set several scenes from the novel to music. He explains, “I was completely captivated by the mysterious and fascinating world surrounding the character Eliza May Drayden. I’m still immersed in it, and I’m trying to capture its colors, mysteries, characters, and motifs in music.”

Program:

Knigge Eliza May
Grieg Piano Concerto (Antti Siirala piano)

Shostakovich Symphony No. 6