Works by Tchaikovsky, Gershwin, Shostakovich, Stravinsky
A highly anticipated concert kicks off this year’s classical programme at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. The celebrated Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg, under the baton of Gustavo Gimeno, joins forces with the brilliant young piano superstar, Yuja Wang, for a single riveting evening at the Odeon on 17 June.
Who is Yuja Wang
Watch the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZyokBXgEJY
Yuja Wang’s breakthrough came in 2007, when the then-20-year-old artist replaced Martha Argerich as soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Wang’s dynamic performance captivated audiences and critics, and marked the beginning of a brilliant international career, with audiences ever since looking forward to Wang’s performances. The artist has collaborated with the world’s leading orchestras, including the Berliner Philharmoniker, the Münchner Philharmoniker, the Wiener Philharmoniker and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, as well as major acclaimed conductors and soloists, including Yuri Temirkanov, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Gustavo Dudamel, Gautier Capucon, Leonidas Kavakos and Romnan Simovic. Wang is also a recording artist with Deutsche Grammophon and was artist in residence of the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg for the 2018-2019 season.
A piano superstar
Wang is famous for her electrifying presence on stage and for the outfits she chooses to wear during her performances, including dresses especially made for her. “Which offends? Her short dress or critic’s narrow view?” wrote the Washington Post back in 2011. The Los Angeles Daily News reported the following in 2016: “Forget the dress, pianist Yuja Wang plans ‘colorful’ musical program at Hollywood Bow.” In fact, Wang has emerged as one of the most well-known and accomplished pianists of her generation for a number of reasons, namely that she combines a fascinating performing style, a tour de force of virtuosity, with a rather extraordinary onstage presence by the standards of classical music. Wang is a role model of female independence and a source of inspiration for the new generation of musicians, challenging stereotypes of classical musicians with her unconventional appearance and her active social media presence.
Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg
Founded in 1933, the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg consists of 98 musicians from over 20 countries. The multi-award-winning orchestra (Grammy Award, Grand Prix Charles Cros, Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik, BBC Music Choice, Diapason d’Or, Choc du Monde de la Musique) has been established as one of the most significant cultural institutions in Luxembourg, giving concerts across Europe, Asia and America. Since 2005, the orchestra is housed at the famed Philharmonie Luxembourg concert hall, renowned for its excellent acoustics. The orchestra is also active in educational projects for youths and children, as well as performing in schools and hospitals. The orchestra’s repertoire has been expanded under its incumbent musical director Gustavo Gimeno, currently serving his fourth term, and has started recording with Pentatone.
The Odeon concert
The programme of this concert, which will kick off this year’s classical programme at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, includes Tchaikovsky’s The Tempest and Fantasy-Overture op. 18 F minor (1873) and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue in the first part, and Shostakovich’s Concerto for piano and orchestra No. 2 (F major op. 102) and Stravinsky’s The Firebird – Suite in the second part. The concert forms part of the Konzertdirektion Schmid tour.
Tickets: greekfestival.gr / ticketmaster.gr / tel.: +30 210 8938112
