Program

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frédéric Chopin.
Against the backdrop of the Belgian Presidency of the European Union and of the "Daniel Pearl World Music Days".

Conductor

• Roger BAUSIER 

Soloist

• Jean-Claude Vanden Eynden - piano, 3rd price in the Queen Elisabeth Competition, 1964.

Programme

• François GLORIEUX : Fanfare for Europe
• Frédéric CHOPIN : Concerto no. 2 in F minor Op 21
• Dimitri CHOSTAKOVITCH : Symphony no. 5 in D minor Opus 47

Organiser

• Permanent Organisation for the Integration of European Culture

See poster>

The concert shall open with a dynamic work by the well-known Belgian composer, François Glorieux, which is particularly fitting given the backdrop of the Belgian Presidency of the European Union.

Chopin's Concert nr 2 is one of his masterpieces; just like Concerto nr 1 it was composed during his youth, when he was living in Warsaw; both were inspired by his amorous feelings towards Constance Gladkowska. The two compositions were influenced by Johann Nepomuk Hummel, in particular the rhythms and dances of his homeland. The final movements from both works express Chopin's sympathy with the strong Polish nationalism during 1830.

BPO is particularly honoured to have the opportunity to accompany here one of our most famous soloists, Jean-Claude VANDEN EYNDEN.

The concert will finish with Shostakovich's 5th Symphony, which he composed shortly after learning he would be repatriated by the Soviet Regime, and the entire work is permeated by the relief he felt at regaining his public image. This can be witnessed in the first movement by a joyous march, which is pounded out and which seems to become brighter thanks to pastoral themes. The second movement wallows in the ambience of a folk festival, with its waltz rhythm peppered with the sound of bell chimes. A subsequent dreamy impressionistic passage is suddenly broken by beautiful lingering phrases played out by the strings, which symbolise the composer's regained energy. The final allegro leads us back to the joyful march at the start of the work which gradually grows from triumphant to grandiose.