Alexandre Kantorow | Münchner Philharmoniker | Tugan Sokhiev

Munich Philharmonic / Alexandre Kantorow / Tugan Sokhiev

A rousing orchestral concert with immortal melodies and breathtaking virtuosity: on the first evening of its two-day visit to Hamburg, the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra is joined by the young star pianist Alexandre Kantorow and brings seminal works of Russian Romanticism to the auditorium. Since winning the prestigious Tchaikovsky Competition in 2019, Alexandre Kantorow has been playing in the premiere league of the piano world. Having caused a sensation in Hamburg on several occasions in the past, this budding French musician performs a whole series of concerts at the Elbphilharmonie this season, as a spotlighted artist in portrait. He kicks off his residency with Sergei Rachmaninov’s exuberant »Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini«. Composed for solo piano and orchestra, this work in 24 variations is captivating with its lavish luminosity, lush tonal hues and incredible virtuosity, which really live up to the playing prowess of the legendary »devil’s violinist« Paganini. Under the direction of the Russian conductor Tugan Sokhiev, the musicians also present Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s »Scheherzerade«, a genuine orchestral hit from the late 19th century. The composer transports us to the sensual fairy-tale world of »1001 Nights« in movements that are as rich in sound as they are varied, with echoes reminiscent of the Orient.