LIVE AT THE CONCERTGEBOUW “… Alexander Nevsky was the heroic founder of the great Russian empire. In the 13th century he defeated the Swedish army on the northern front on the banks of the river Neva. Centuries later Alexander drove the German armies back on the western front. When Hitler’s armies posed a new threat for Russia in the 1930’s, the stories of Alexander’s legendary conquests served as moral support for the Russian people. Film director Sergei Eisenstein and composer Sergei Prokofiev worked closely together on their project ‘Alexander Nevsky.’ Eisenstein delivered a visual stage with almost operatic qualities and Prokofiev composed highly effective visually inspired music. Prokofiev’s film score became a classic in the concert hall as a cantata in seven movements…" [RNW-host Hans Haffmans]
 
Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
Vasily Petrenko, conductor
Netherlands Radio Choir
Yvette Bonner, soprano
Irina Tschistjakova, mezzo-soprano
Leonidas Kavakos, violin
 
Joep Franssens: Grace World premiere
Ludwig von Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 6
Sergei Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky, Op. 78 (Cantata)

additional programming:
 
Joep Franssens: final minutes from Harmony of the Spheres
Netherlands Chamber Choir / Tönu Kaljuste

listen to this week’s program:
 
part 1

part 2