Event info

Thursday 21 January » 19:30
Eva conducts Mahler — Iceland Symphony Orchestra

Two forgotten masterworks and a majestic Mahler symphony

Iceland Symphony Orchestra

PROGRAMME
Julia Perry: A Short Piece for Orchestra
Dora Pejacevic: Phantasie concertante
Gustav Mahler: Symphony no. 5

CONDUCTOR
Eva Ollikainen

SOLOIST
Vladimir Stoupel

This performance showcases two forgotten masterpieces and a blockbuster symphony by Gustav Mahler, under the baton of Chief Conductor Eva Ollikainen. Mahler’s Symphony no. 5 is one of the composer’s most momentous works, its rich orchestration for a large ensemble providing the perfect vehicle for magnificent sonorities and intense emotion. The Adagietto movement has been particularly popular, not least since it was used in Luchino Visconti’s famous film adaptation of Thomas Mann’s Death in Venice. Hearing the sumptuous sounds of Mahler reverberate through Eldborg hall is always something to look forward to.

Julia Perry and Dora Pejacevic are among the 20th-century composers who have been forgotten in spite of having written particularly interesting music. Perry studied at Juilliard around 1950, receiving praise in spite of two considerable impediments to her career: she was a black woman. Pejacevic, who came from Croatian nobility, was active around 1900 and was among the very first Croatian composers to write symphonic music. Her Phantasie concertante for piano and orchestra dates from 1919. Only now are the brilliant works of Perry and Pejacevic receiving the attention they are due. This performance is the Icelandic premiere of both pieces.

Russian pianist Vladimir Stoupel is a highly respected soloist, chamber musician, and conductor. He has held a number of concerts in Iceland, including performances with his wife, violinist Judith Ingolfsson, and now appears for the first time as a soloist with the Iceland Symphony.

Further information on the concert can be found on the Iceland Symphony Orchestra website.