Grand Selection

  • Date:
    15 May 8 p.m.
  • Hall: Main Auditorium

An Orchestra at its Prime

The Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana has just celebrated its 20th anniversary on a journey to excellence. Born under the best omens, protected by the Palau de les Arts, and guided by conductor Lorin Maazel, the orchestra has acquired in a short time the solidity which characterizes the great centuries. Sir Mark Elder, the present Musical Director of the OCV, joins the prestigious batons who have contributed to its splendid present state.

On the music stands for the evening at the Teatro de la Maestranza is a trio of scores united by its origins but separated by different aesthetic worlds. The brief Scherzo à la russe - by an Americanised Stravinsky - transforms the reminder of his home country in a brilliant circus parade, originally composed for a jazz band it was orchestrated by its composer in 1945. This was the same year that Shostakovich disappointed Stalin with his Ninth symphony which was indifferent to the monumental postwar and where the composer would be condemned again for formalism. In the second part, the charm and energy of Tchikovsky, who was considered the father of the Russian symphony by his partners on this programme. Three works to measure the maturity of an important orchestra.


Igor Stravinsky
Scherzo à la russe

Dmitri Shostakóvich
Symphony N.o 9 in E- flat major, op. 70

Piotr Ilich Tchaikovsky
“The Sleeping Beauty” Suite op.66a

  • Musical director: Sir Mark Elder

Principal Orchestra of the Palau de les Arts (Valencia)

 

© Miguel Lorenzo - Mikel Ponce

About Sir Mark Elder

Is the Music Director of the Palau de les Arts of Valencia since 2025. He conducts the renowned orchestras on the international circuit and is the principal artist of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment since 2011. He appears frequently at The Royal Opera House (London), Metropolitan Opera (New York), Glyndebourne Festival, among others.

About Orquestra Comunitat Valenciana

Founded by Lorin Maazel in 2006, in two decades it has become one of the top orchestras in Spain and one of the most acclaimed in Europe of the 21st century. Led by prestigious conductors, this orchestra is recognised for its quality and versatility in performing both operatic and symphonic repertoire.