For the first time since its founding 70 years ago, the BBC Symphony
Orchestra is coming to Taiwan with two concerts that characteristically
blend classical music of several styles. Premier Evening, a charity concert
which goes on stage tonight will be followed by An Evening of Classical
Music tomorrow evening. In the latter, the orchestra will perform as it does
every year at the Proms, the leading international classical music festival
in England aimed at presenting a wide range of musical styles through
quality performances.
The orchestra is famous for its eclectic repertoire. While its first chief
conductor, Sir Adrian Boult, promoted modern music by conducting Arnold
Schoenberg, Benjamin Britten and Edward Elgar, his followers took a more
classical turn and enlarged the orchestra's musical scope. Between 1989 and
2000, then chief conductor Sir Andrew Davis struck a balance between
classical and romantic numbers as he maintained the orchestra's tradition of
innovative programming.
On both evenings, the orchestra will perform with Davis, now its conductor
laureate.
Accompanying the orchestra on piano will be Jean-Yves Thibaudet, whose more
than 20 recordings include critically acclaimed albums of the complete piano
works of Claude Debussy. In 1997 and 1998, the French pianist expanded his
repertoire with a release of the compositions of late jazz musicians Bill
Evans and Duke Ellington. Having studied under a collaborator of Maurice
Ravel, he will present his interpretation of one of Ravel's compositions -
no, not Bolero - at tomorrow's concert.
Tonight's program will include Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, Debussy's
La Mer and Stravinsky's Firebird Suite. Tomorrow's program will include
Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathustra, Ravel's Piano Concerto for Left Hand,
Arias of Mozart and Strauss and Britten's Young Person's Guide to the
Orchestra. Tickets are available through ERA ticketing outlets and are
priced between NT$600 and NT$3,600.
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