BBC Philharmonic & Martin Grubinger

O akci

Founded in 1934 as the BBC Northern Orchestra, the ensemble changed its name to the BBC Philharmonic in 1982. It moved from Manchester to nearby MediaCityUK in Salford Quays last year, while its main concert series continues at The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. The Orchestra, which has made over 200 recordings with Chandos Records, boasts an impressive roster of conductors, who have importantly co‐shaped an inventive and explorative programme. Succeeding Gianandrea Noseda, Juanjo Mena took up the post of principal conductor in September 2011.

Spanish conductor Juanjo Mena has extensive international experience. Making his debut with the Philharmonic on BBC Radio 3, Mena was described as “a wonderful musician who will continue the tradition of world class Chief Conductors at the BBC Philharmonic. His ability to combine overarching vision with a masterly attention to detail augurs well for many years of very special music making”.

Described by the critics as “a wizard of percussion”, Martin Grubinger rose to fame in 2006, after a percussion marathon in Vienna. The Austrian percussionist is a sought‐after soloist who performs with some of the world’s finest orchestras. The list of compositions dedicated to Grubinger, winner of a number of awards, grows at a rapid pace.

Written in 1996 by Japanese composer Keiko Abe, the Rhapsody for marimba demands a great deal of technical dexterity and virtuosity, and the work by the Austrian composer HK Gruber revolves around the power of a demagogic leader – the drummer who attracts masses desirous of expressing disapproval of the society’s outcast, an individual who has renounced a prevailing set of values.

In tribute of Austrian creativity, the BBC Philharmonic will also perform Bruckner’s Symphony No. 6, whose shortened version was premiered by Gustav Mahler himself.