Two extraordinary artists, an orchestra in perfect harmony: the magic of shared masterpieces. This concert series explores some of the greatest Classics under pressure. The programme includes unique interpretations of classics under pressure, revealing how these masterpieces resonate today.
Returning from their tour of Spain, which saw them tackle a series of Romantic masterpieces, Diego Ceretta and the Orchestra della Toscana now take a step back in time. They offer us a rather special glimpse into the first quarter of the nineteenth century. There is the great Viennese classicism, one of the leitmotifs of Ceretta’s programming in his first three years as principal conductor of the ORT. This time it is represented by one of the most significant moments of Ludwig van Beethoven‘s “middle period”, the Third Piano Concerto. It is an exhilarating encounter between experimentation and drama. The soloist – and this too is a constant feature of his work with us – is a young pianist like himself. Moreover, Martina Consonni is already very well established.
But another issue has preoccupied Ceretta and will continue to do so, following in the footsteps of the greatest Italian conductors, fromArturo Toscanini to Riccardo Muti. It is the recognition of Luigi Cherubini among the greats of that era. Having moved to Paris, he remained for a long time one of the most influential figures in French musical culture. Yet Cherubini never forgot that he was born in Florence, very close to the Basilica of Santa Croce. There, a monument commemorates him as one of the great Italians, and to the Teatro Verdi, home to the ORT. This is another reason why Ceretta makes us feel that he is one of our own.
Beethoven looked to him as an ideal guide, paying him heartfelt tribute. So in this programme, he keeps company with the greatest symphonist of his time with his only contribution to this genre, the Symphony in D major. This comparison is sure to move us, but it will also help us to reflect and understand better.
