Alexander Melnikov & OCM: Palau de la Música Catalana
About the Event
Enjoy a unique concert at the marvellous Palau de la Musica Catalana with gifted pianist Alexander Melnikovand the Orquestra Simfònica Camera Musicae.
OVERCOME ADVERSITY
Rachmaninov and Mussorgsky not only coincide in their origins and in the references they make to popular music in their country, but also in an extremely sensitive personality that made them suffer from severe periods of sadness. The two works that make up this program are a wonderful manifest on how to face adversity through musical creation,: the Concerto for piano and orchestra no. 2, op. 18 evokes the overcoming of a depression and is dedicated to Dr. Nikolai Dahl, whom Rachmaninov recognizes for his invaluable help. Pictures at an Exhibition is a posthumous tribute to the artist Viktor Hartmann, whose sudden death had left his friend Mussorgsky dejected.
We can count on Alexander Melnikov to hear to the musical response that Rachmaninov gave to the hard question of Tolstoy: What is the use of the music you compose? It is a luxury that will allow us to discover how the melodies, of Russian inspiration, travel through the sound universe of emotions. Mussorgsky's work (originally for piano but orchestrated by Maurice Ravel) represents the composer himself, visiting an exhibition of works by Hartmann. Each 'Promenade' symbolizes the passage from one work to another and their content is masterfully described through music.
Cast / Production
Orquestra Simfònica Camera Musicae
Orquestra Simfònica Camera Musicae (OCM), founded in 2006, enjoyed a great welcoming from the public due to their work in disseminating classical music among very diverse crowds, especially by targeting the young music‐lover audience. They have performed in venues such as Auditorio Nacional de Madrid, Auditori de Barcelona, Palau de la Música Catalana and Teatre Tarragona among others, having a stable musical season with their own productions at Palau de la Música and Teatre Tarragona.
Tomas Grau is the permanent artistic director and conductor, and since the 2017‐2018 season, Salvador Mas initiated the role of main conductor. OCM launched their resident project at Auditori del Tívoli in Vendrell during the 2009‐2010, currently ongoing.
Orquestra Simfònica Camera Musicae has collaborated with conductors such as Antoni Ros Marbà, Salvador Brotons, John Rutter, Diego Martin‐Etxebarria, Josep Vila i Casañas, Xavier Puig, Manel Valdivieso and Virginia Martínez, and soloists like Stephen Kovacevich, Sabine Meyer, Patricia Kopatchinskaja, Alexandra Soumm, Asier Polo, Judith Jáuregui, Massimo Spadano, Rafael Aguirre, Claudi Arimany, Albert Guinovart, Núria Rial or Àngel Òdena, among others.
Despite developing their main activities in Catalunya, OCM regularly performs around Spain and has toured Germany, Czech Republic and Switzerland. They have recorded Tempesta esvaïda (heritage recovery), De Catalunya al món, Un conte de Nadal and Mediterráneo.
