Extraordinary Symphonic Concert with Enescu’s Symphony No. 1 and Ravel’s Famous Bolero at Patria Hall

The 147th season of the Brașov Philharmonic will open with two extraordinary symphonic concerts, conducted by the renowned Parisian conductor David Molard Soriano. A musician with an impressive career, Soriano is already beloved by the Brașov audience, appreciated for his passionate and refined conducting style. Recently, he made a successful debut in Monaco, performing with the Philharmonic, Opera, and Ballet of Monte Carlo.

David Molard Soriano served as assistant conductor of the Orchestre National de France from 2019 to 2022, working alongside great names such as Emmanuel Krivine and Cristian Măcelaru. Throughout his career, he has conducted numerous concerts and recordings with prestigious orchestras and has been invited to lead performances at the Opéra National de Bordeaux, the Orchestre National de Metz, and the Romanian Radio Chamber Orchestra.

Before this, from 2014 to 2018, he was Paavo Järvi’s assistant at the Orchestre de Paris and the Estonian Festival Orchestra, participating in renowned events such as the Pärnu Music Festival and the BBC Proms. In parallel, he collaborated with conductors Fabien Gabel and Gustavo Dudamel at the Rencontres Musicales d’Evian.

In 2022, Molard Soriano founded the Rencontres Musicales at Château d’Ainay-le-Vieil in France, where he assembles his own orchestra for a festival dedicated to young audiences. As the founder and Music Director of the Orchestre des Jeunes d’Île-de-France, he brings together the most talented musicians of the younger generation, presenting world-class concerts with thrilling repertoires.

The Opening Concert Program

The first work in the program for the opening concerts of the 2024/25 season, held on September 26 and 27, is Symphony No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 13 by George Enescu. This is one of the most significant contributions of the Romanian composer to the universal symphonic repertoire. Composed in 1905, at just 23 years old, the symphony impresses with its stylistic maturity and wealth of musical ideas. The musical influences Enescu absorbed during his studies in Vienna and Paris are harmoniously woven together in this masterpiece of Romanian music.

The second work in the program is Don Juan, the symphonic poem composed by Richard Strauss, one of his most frequently performed works. The piece is recognized as a test of virtuosity for any orchestra and captivates audiences with its overflowing energy and deep drama.

In conclusion, the audience will be treated to the famous composition Bolero by Maurice Ravel, one of the most well-known works of the 20th century. Although its melodic structure is extremely simple, consisting of a theme repeated 18 times without variation, the fascinating orchestration and constant crescendo create an unforgettable musical experience. Inspired by the Spanish dance of the same name, Bolero derives its charm from its repetitive and captivating rhythm.

These three exceptional works will undoubtedly mark a memorable start to the season, under the baton of the talented David Molard Soriano.

Upcoming Events at the Brașov Philharmonic

After the grand opening of the new season, October brings a series of exceptional concerts at the Brașov Philharmonic, with a varied program and renowned conductors, sure to delight music lovers with the performance of classical masterpieces.

The first concert of the month will take place on October 3, 2024, at 7:00 PM, in the Philharmonic’s Main Hall. Under the baton of conductor Mircea Pădurariu, the concert will open with the Overture to the Opera La Clemenza di Tito by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The soloist of the evening will be the talented pianist Aurelia Vișovan, who will perform Piano Concerto No. 4 by Ludwig van Beethoven, a masterpiece of the piano and orchestra repertoire, known for its lyricism and intimate dialogue between the soloist and the orchestra. The concert will conclude with Symphony No. 41 Jupiter by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, his final and most grandiose symphony.

On October 17, 2024, music lovers are invited back to the Main Hall, where conductor Radu Popa will lead an exceptional symphonic concert. The soloist of the evening, clarinetist Mihai Ailenei, will perform two remarkable works for clarinet and orchestra: Rhapsody for Clarinet and Orchestra by Claude Debussy, an impressionistic piece full of refinement and subtle nuances, and Concertino for Clarinet by Carl Maria von Weber, a vibrant and technically challenging work. The evening will continue with Passacaglia in C Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach, arranged by Ottorino Respighi, and will conclude with Pines of Rome by Ottorino Respighi, a spectacular symphonic work that captures the grandeur and atmosphere of Rome.

On October 24, 2024, the Brașov Philharmonic will present a concert conducted by Walter Hilgers, featuring Petru Iuga as the contrabass soloist. The program will include Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor by Aleksandr Borodin, Divertimento Concertante for Double Bass and Orchestra by Nino Rota, and Symphony No. 3 in F major by Johannes Brahms.

The final concert of October will take place on October 31, 2024, under the direction of conductor Daisuke Soga, featuring violist Răzvan Popovici. The program will include Cello Concerto by Edward Elgar, arranged for viola by Lionel Tertis, and Symphony No. 4 by Anton Bruckner, a monumental and profound work that will close the month on a grand note.

These extraordinary concerts promise to offer an unforgettable musical experience and continue the tradition of excellence at the Brașov Philharmonic.

Tickets for all events are already available at Sala Patria, where discounted tickets are also available for pensioners, students, and pupils, or online at bilet.ro.