Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) presents

Osmo Vänskä and Beethoven’s Symphony no. 5

This program celebrates Beethoven with two works that demonstrate his forward-looking artistic vision: the Fourth Piano Concerto and the towering Symphony no. 5, with its universally familiar opening motif. South Korean composer Unsuk Chin drew inspiration from Beethoven’s extreme and dramatic contrasts in her piece Subito con forza, while a serene glow envelops Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho’s Ciel d’hiver.

Artists
Osmo Vänskä, conductor

Conductor Laureate of the Minnesota Orchestra, where he held the Music Directorship for 19 years, and Music Director of Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra from 2020 to 2023, Osmo Vänskä is recognised for his compelling interpretations of repertoire of all ages and an energetic presence on the podium. His democratic and inclusive style of work has been key in forging long-standing relationships with many orchestras worldwide.

Performances of Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 with Minnesota Orchestra in June 2022 provided a fitting culmination for Vänskä’s tenure as Music Director. Together they undertook five major European tours, as well as a historic trip to Cuba in 2015 – the first visit by an American orchestra since the two countries re-established diplomatic relations. They also made a ground-breaking tour to South Africa in 2018 as part of worldwide celebrations of Nelson Mandela’s Centenary – furthermore the first visit by an American orchestra — drawing together South African and American performers in musical expressions of peace, freedom, and reconciliation on a five-city tour. Vanska and Minnesota Orchestra also made an acclaimed return to London’s BBC Proms in Summer 2018.

Su Yeon Kim (Winner of the 2021 Concours musical international de Montréal), piano

Young South Korean pianist Su Yeon Kim is described as “a refined, probing artist,” and her performances, as “thought-through, fully realized interpretation, the kind you’d expect from a veteran of the recital circuit.” (Bachtrack Magazine) She earned worldwide acclaim by winning first prize at the Concours musical international de Montréal in 2021. Her achievements also include first prizes at the J. N. Hummel International Piano Competition and Compositores de Espana Piano Competition, and second prize at the 2020 Mozart International Competition. She has appeared as a soloist with many of the world’s foremost orchestras and ensembles, and has been invited to perform at major international venues and festivals. Her first album is forthcoming (Steinway & Sons). After completing studies in Korea, she was mentored by Austrian pianist Paul Gulda. She pursued training with Pavel Gililov at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, where she currently resides.

Program
Unsuk Chin, Subito con forza (5 min.)
Beethoven, Piano Concerto no. 4 in G major, op. 58 (34 min.)

Kaija Saariaho, Ciel d’hiver (11 min.)
Beethoven, Symphony no. 5 in C minor, op. 67 (31 min.)

Maison symphonique
Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at 7:30pm
Thursday, September 29, 2022 at 7:30pm

To purchase your tickets visit: www.placedesarts.com