Richard Strauss’ Towering Alpine Symphony – November 13-14, 2024 LiveEvents November 7, 2024 277 Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) presents Richard Strauss’ Towering Alpine Symphony For his return to the Maison symphonique Bruce Liu will perform Scriabin’s sole Piano Concerto, written in a poetic and highly Romantic style. In contrast to this, the vast soundscape of Richard Strauss’ Alpine Symphony evokes the colossal grandeur of the Bavarian Alps. Iman Habibi reflects upon the climate crisis by placing his Jeder Baum spricht in perspective with Beethoven’s 5th and 6th symphonies. Artists Orchestre symphonique de Montréal Rafael Payare, conductor Bruce Liu, piano Chinese-Canadian pianist Bruce (Xiaoyu) Liu burst onto the world stage in October 2021 when he won the International Chopin Piano Competition. The fresh, spontaneous dynamism and flawless technique that characterised his playing throughout the various stages of this most prestigious competition (“his Concerto in E minor … held poetry and virtuosity in wonderful balance” Daily Telegraph) not only convinced the jury but have since been winning over critics and audiences at sold-out venues worldwide. Liu has also impressed interviewers with his humility, sense of humour and intelligent interest in the history and culture of the many places he has visited since his victory in Warsaw. “What we all have in common is our difference,” Bruce Liu likes to say. Born to Chinese parents in Paris on 8 May 1997, he moved with his father to Montreal at the age of six but has always made regular visits to China and speaks fluent Mandarin. His phenomenal artistry has therefore been shaped by his personal heritage: European refinement, North American dynamism and the long tradition of Chinese culture. He studied with Richard Raymond at the Montreal Conservatoire between 2011 and 2018, during which time he won the grand prize at the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal Competition when he was only 15, and thereafter with Dang Thai Son (winner of the 10th Chopin Competition). Program Iman Habibi, Jeder Baum spricht [Every Tree Speaks] (7 min) *Canadian work Alexander Scriabin, Piano Concerto in F-sharp minor, op. 20 (28 min.) Richard Strauss, Eine Alpensinfonie [An Alpine Symphony], op. 64, TrV 233 (47 min) Maison symphonique Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 7:30pm Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 7:30pm To purchase your tickets, visit: www.placedesarts.com