Smetana and Tchaikovsky: The Moldau and the Slavonic Soul

Wednesday November 15, 2006	7:30 pm	Le Conseil des arts de Montréal en tournée Église Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs
Friday November 17, 2006	8:00 pm	Le Conseil des arts de Montréal en tournée Centre des arts de la scène PCHS
Sunday November 26, 2006	4:00 pm	Le Conseil des arts de Montréal en tournée Théâtre Mirella et Lino Saputo
Monday November 27, 2006	7:30 pm	Great concert Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier — Place des Arts

A rare occasion to hear the complete cycle, of which the famous Moldau is best-known. Francesca da Rimini is among Tchaikovsky’s most powerful compositions.

Description

A tribute to his native Bohemia, Smetana’s cycle My Country is a series of six symphonic poems extolling the beauties of nature and landmarks in the history of the Czech people. This is a rare occasion for audiences to hear the complete cycle, of which the famous Moldau is best-known. The great Tchaikovsky’s Francesca da Rimini is among the composer’s most powerful and captivating orchestral compositions. This tumultuous and fiery symphonic poem was inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy. Among several moments of high drama, Tchaikovsky’s evocation of an “infernal tempest” is nothing short of breathtaking.