Brussels Philharmonic

After its disastrous premiere, Prokofiev shelved his Cello Concerto. After hearing it played many years later by 22-year-old Mstislav Rostropovich, however, he dusted it off. Following Rostropovich’s advice, he reworked it, incorporated his characteristic trademark: dissonance coupled with lyrical passages, and renamed it Sinfonia Concertante. A similar fate befell Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances. It was rarely performed for ten years after its premiere. With its powerful Stravinsky-like expressionist harmonies, grotesque passages à la Prokofiev and a rhythmic vivacity so typical of Rachmaninov's later works it could easily have been his Fourth Symphony. Not Russian, but inspired by Russian folk festivals is Connesson’s Maslenitsa. This reference to the old Russia, dreamt by a Frenchman, depicts exuberant joy mingled with suffering. It’s a tribute to the country and the music Connesson loves so much.      

Facebook Brussels Philharmonic