Orchestre Métropolitain presents

Fire and Flame

Prokofiev’s fifth symphony is a mature composition, written 14 years after his previous symphonic work. This ode to freedom and happiness was completed during World War II and features a joy that prevails and explodes like fireworks under the baton of Kensho Watanabe.

Just as fiery, Latvian composer Lūcija Garūta’s concerto is a little-known gem that will be performed by Quebec-born, London-based pianist Élisabeth Pion. But the Sorcerer’s Apprentice will cast a spell to get the first sparks flying. This piece was written by Dukas, Garūta’s teacher.

Artists
Orchestre Métropolitain
Kensho Watanabe, conductor

Critically acclaimed for “a combination of authority, charisma, and technical aplomb rarely found in a young conductor,” Kensho Watanabe is quickly establishing himself internationally as an artist known for his collaborative leadership and intelligently crafted performances. Following successful debut performances at the Metropolitan Opera last season with Kevin Puts’ The Hours and Terrence Blanchard’s Champion, Watanabe returns to the Met this season to conduct the full revival run of The Hours.

The 2022-23 season saw Watanabe’s subscription return to The Philadelphia Orchestra, with whom he maintains a close relationship following his tenure as Assistant Conductor from 2016-19. He also returned to the Sarasota Orchestra, the Rhode Island Philharmonic, and the RTE Concert Orchestra, while making debuts with the Minnesota Orchestra, Edmonton Symphony, Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, and the Pasadena Symphony.

Equally at home in both symphonic and operatic repertoire, Watanabe will open his 2023-24 season by making his Detroit Opera debut with Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. In addition to his work at the Metropolitan Opera, Watanabe has led numerous operas, including performances of La bohème at Spoleto Festival USA in 2022. He has also previously worked with the Curtis Opera Theatre, the Castleton Festival, and Opéra de Montréal.

Based in Paris, Watanabe was the inaugural conducting fellow of the Curtis Institute of Music from 2013 to 2015, studying with his longtime mentor Yannick Nézet-Séguin. An accomplished violinist, Watanabe received his Master of Music degree from the Yale School of Music and served as a substitute violinist in The Philadelphia Orchestra from 2012 to 2016. He is also a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with distinguished conducting pedagogue Otto-Werner Mueller. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Yale, where he studied molecular, cellular, and developmental biology.

Élisabeth Pion, piano

An enquiring and innovative artist, pianist Élisabeth Pion leads an imaginative career as a soloist, chamber musician & artistic collaborator. Recent highlights include the release of her first solo album with ATMA Classique, as well as being awarded the 3rd prize of the 2023 Rio Piano Festival – Tribute to Nelson Freire, performing with the Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira & Roberto Tibiriçá.

She has made her US concerto debut in 2022 with the Toledo Symphony & Alain Trudel, and has previously played with several Canadian orchestras, such as the Victoria Symphony, the Orchestre classique de Montréal, Arion Orchestre Baroque & the National Academy Orchestra (Brott Music Festival). She has also enjoyed a close collaboration with conductor Thomas Le Duc-Moreau and the Ensemble Volte.

Among recent accolades, Elisabeth has been awarded the 2022 Choquette-Symcox Award from the Fondation Jeunesses Musicales Canada. In 2018, following her winning the Shean Competition in Edmonton, Élisabeth was named in the CBC Palmares 30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians under 30, and was also selected as one of 2018’s 15 Rising Stars from the magazine La Scena Musicale.

Program
DUKAS, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Lūcija GARŪTA, Piano Concerto
PROKOFIEV, Symphony No. 5

Maison symphonique
Sunday, January 21, 2024 at 3:00pm

To purchase your tickets visit: www.placedesarts.com