Organization

Conductor

Duncan Ward

Instrumentalist

Isabelle Faust

Violin

Violinist

London Symphony Orchestra

Orchestra

Star-crossed Lovers – Bartók, Janáček, Debussy

London

United Kingdom

Barbican Centre

Barbican Concert Hall

Star-crossed Lovers – Bartók, Janáček, Debussy: Violin Concerto No.1, Sz.36 Bartók (+3 More)

Public

Private

Violin Concerto No.1, Sz.36

Taras Bulba raphsody

Poème, op. 25

The sea, three symphonic sketches for orchestra, L. 109

Approved

The Programme
Bartók dedicated his First Violin Concerto to the famed musician Stefi Geyer, but she refused it, unable to return his adoration. It wasn’t performed until 1956, when listeners discovered an unusual musical portrait of Geyer, exploring Bartók’s dreamy admiration and his crush’s quick wit.

Janáček’s Taras Bulba tells a rousing tale of Cossack warriors, featuring another doomed romance. Lamenting horns and tender oboes introduce a pair of lovers on opposing sides of a battle. 

Chausson’s sensuous Poème was inspired by a short story about two men in love with the same woman, while Debussy’s scintillating evocation of the sea was written in the midst of an adulterous affair.    

The Performers
Duncan Ward and the LSO set out to sweep you off your feet in this performance, while Isabelle Faust offers sensitive insights into the music of Bartók.

‘One letter from you, a line, even a word – and I am in a transport of joy, the next brings me almost to tears, it hurts so. What is to be the end of it all?’ – Bartók to Stefi Geyer.

English

Star-crossed Lovers – Bartók, Janáček, Debussy by Bartók, Janáček, Chausson, Debussy, From (2023/2023), Conductor Duncan Ward, Barbican Centre, London, United Kingdom

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Instrumentation

Ensemble

Program, About & Synopsis

Photos

Further reading

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Venues