ConcertPulse
Herbert Blomstedt & Martin Sturfält
“When I turned 85 I thought: it’s now or never. I have no more duties as principal conductor; now I must do something for Stenhammar.” Since then Herbert Blomstedt has turned 94, and he has remained true to his mission with unbroken commitment. The highly esteemed maestro has already presented works by his Swedish countryman on two occasions with the BRSO. Now he will introduce us to Stenhammar’s Second Piano Concerto, a grand late-romantic opus full of soaring melodies, riveting drama and harrowing intensity. The soloist Martin Sturfält, likewise from Sweden, has already played the piece several times under Blomstedt’s baton. And as Stenhammar’s major “idols” were Sibelius and Beethoven, the “Eroica” Symphony fits perfectly into the concert’s dramatic scheme.