Performing with:
Orchestre National de France
Tomáš Netopil, conductor

Programme:
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K. 491

Programme also includes:
Fauré: Pelléas et Mélisande, suite
Suk: Pohádka op. 16 (Conte de fées)

« Nous ne serons jamais capables de faire quoi que ce soit de pareil », aurait dit Beethoven du Vingt-quatrième Concerto pour piano de Mozart, partition écrite en mineur et qui s’achève par un mouvement étonnamment méditatif, presque funèbre. Il sera joué ici par David Fray, et précédé par la suite de Pelléas et Mélisande de Fauré. Quant au Conte de fées de Josef Suk, il s’agit d’une œuvre symphonique en quatre tableaux, provenant de la musique de scène composée en 1898 pour une pièce de Julius Zeyer, auteur qui inspira aussi Janáček. Suk, qui fut l’élève et le gendre de Dvořák, y fait preuve d’une inspiration généreuse servie par d’étonnantes couleurs orchestrales.

A Ballet in the Time of Corona by John Neumeier : Ghost Light

Internationally, the Hamburg Ballet is one of the first companies that has returned to its studios after the lockdown. Based on a comprehensive hygiene concept, there have been ten daily ballet classes in small groups since the 29th of April. Almost immediately, John Neumeier developed the idea of creating a ballet observing and structured according to social distancing. At the beginning, it was not certain, when, where or if this ballet might be publicly performed. The work was an exercise in creativity out of necessity for the choreographer and his dancers. Having completed four weeks of creation, John Neumeier continues to work on his ballet, now called “Ghost Light”, using solo piano music by Franz Schubert.

John Neumeiers’ concept involves all 60 dancers of his company. To respect social distancing, he creates separate parts of the work with small groups of two to eight dancers. “‘Ghost Light’ is an ensemble work that I am developing in fragments. It is like the separate instrumental lines of a symphony – or a traditional Japanese meal: a sequence of carefully arranged, hopefully ‘delicious’ miniatures. How the separate parts will unite to create a complete work, will depend on the moment we are allowed to come near and touch each other again.”, says John Neumeier.

The title “Ghost Light” draws on an American theatrical tradition. A single lamp on a metal post is switched on and placed center stage after rehearsal or performance signifying that no artist is allowed to use the stage. The ghost light burns through the night – until the stage comes alive again.

Music: Franz Schubert
Choreography, Set, Lighting Concept and Costumes: John Neumeier
Costumes of “Lady of the Camellias” and “The Nutcracker” by Jürgen Rose

1 hour 45 minutes | no intermission

Bach:
Klavierkonzert d-Moll BWV 1052
Klavierkonzert A-Dur BWV 1055

Programme also includes:
Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik G-Dur KV 525
Tchaikovsky: Serenade C-Dur op. 48 für Streichorchester

Performing with: Kammerorchester Wien-Berlin

Chopin, Schubert, Mozart, Boulez – and time and again: Bach. These composers are the centre of pianist David Fray’s work. He does not need a historic instrument to play them. In Fray’s hands, Bach works very well on a modern concert grand as well, so that the Kammerorchester Wien-Berlin, which was originally set up for Sir Simon Rattle’s 50th birthday celebrations, can leave its Baroque bows and gut strings at home when it accompanies the young French pianist in two piano concertos by Bach. Two string serenades, including Mozart’s famous yet too rarely performed »Eine kleine Nachtmusik«, frame Bach and Fray.

Please note: This event replaces the cancelled concert from 22 April 2020. Tickets purchased for the postponed concert are valid for this event.

David Fray (play and direct)
Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto Casa da Música

Programme:
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37

Casa da Musica’s note:
Among Mozart’s 27 concertos for piano and orchestra, Concerto No. 20, in D minor, is the most famous with the greatest dramatic impact. It was written at the height of his career as a composer, in 1785, and he himself premiered it at the piano, with immediate success. The originality of the work made it a landmark of concertante writing, giving a new glow to the possible dialogues between the piano and the orchestra. Beethoven was strongly influenced by these ideas and took them even further. He also intended to give to the soloist a role beyond confronting the orchestra, and his Concerto No. 3 is especially revolutionary in terms of scale and dramatic intensity. The person invited to direct and perform these emblematic works with Orquestra Sinfónica is David Fray, a prestigious French pianist who won over the audience of Porto last year, in his debut at Casa da Música.

De entre os 27 concertos para piano e orquestra de Mozart, o Concerto n.º 20, em Ré menor, é o mais conhecido e de maior impacto dramático. Foi escrito no auge da sua carreira enquanto compositor, em 1785, e o próprio o estreou ao piano conquistando sucesso imediato. A originalidade da obra tornou-a um marco da escrita concertante, dando um novo fulgor às possibilidades de diálogo entre o piano e a orquestra. Quem foi fortemente influenciado por estas ideias e as levou ainda mais longe foi Beethoven. Também ele pretendeu dar um papel ao solista que fosse para além do confronto com a orquestra, e o seu 3º Concerto revela-se especialmente revolucionário pela escala e intensidade dramática. O convidado para dirigir e tocar estas obras emblemáticas com a Orquestra Sinfónica é David Fray, prestigiado pianista francês que conquistou o público portuense, no ano passado, quando se estreou nesta sala.

Tonhalle Düsseldorf programme note:

Als der junge David Fray 2007 und 2008 mit seinen ersten beiden Johann Sebastian Bach gewidmeten Alben an die Öffentlichkeit trat, sprach die Klassikwelt von nichts anderem: Sein frischer Zugang zu Bach, der delikate Anschlag, die feinsinnige französische Klangkultur – so schön hatte man die Klavierwerke des barocken Meisters schon lange nicht mehr gehört! Man darf sich also mit gutem Recht darauf freuen, wenn er sich nun, über zehn Jahre später und als gereifte Musikerpersönlichkeit an die Erklimmung eines weiteren Gipfels in der weiten Bach’schen Klavierlandschaft wagt: Die Goldberg-Variationen sind Prüfstein und Sehnsuchtsstück zugleich. Wer diese gut 70 Minuten konzentrierte Klavierkunst beherrscht, die mit allem aufwartet, was das kompositorische Spektrum der Bach-Zeit zu bieten hatte, hat einen Platz im Pianisten-Olymp sicher.

(Translation) When David Fray released his first two albums dedicated to Johann Sebastian Bach in 2007 and 2008, the classical world spoke of nothing else: his fresh approach to Bach, the delicate touch, the subtle French sound – the piano works were so beautiful, and a performance of this quality had not been heard for a long time. So you can justifiably look forward to it now, more than ten years later and as a mature musician, daring to climb another summit in Bach’s broad piano landscape: the Goldberg Variations. They are a touchstone and full of longing at the same time. Anyone who has mastered this concentrated piano art…will certainly have a place in the pianist Olympus.

The highly anticipated Abu Dhabi Classics 2020 will commence on Tuesday 28 January with David Fray and Friends, as they perform Bach’s Concertos for Two, Three, and Four Pianos with the Geneva Chamber Orchestra. For this spectacular programme involving up to four pianos at the same time, four leading pianists, David Fray, Emmanuel Christien, Audrey Vigoureux and Jacques Rouvier, will take to the stage. Their wonderful Bach interpretation has become one of the most admired classical music concerts of the past few years at venues around the world.

Together with the excellent string players from the prestigious Geneva Chamber Orchestra, the piano soloists will render Bach’s fascinating contrapuntal writing and translate the rhythmical energy of the pieces. Prepare for a wonderful evening of Baroque music and an inspiring insight into the birth of modern Classical music.

Performing with: Jacques Rouvier, Piano; Fatma Said, soprano

FRANZ SCHUBERT (1797-1828)

Eight Variations on his own theme A flat major for piano four hands, D 813

Allegretto

The stars (Leitner), D 939

To Silvia (Shakespeare), D 891

Love raves in all ways (Goethe), D 239/6

Viola (Schober), D 786

Hot do not talk to me (Goethe), D 877/2

Heidenröslein (Goethe), D 257

Singing on the water (Stolberg), D 774)

To the music (Schober), D 547

The young nun (Craigher), D 828

Serenade (Rellstab), D 957/4

Gretchen am Spinnrade (Goethe), D 118

Fantasia in F Minor for Piano Four Hands, D 940

Allegro molto moderato – Largo – Allegro vivace with Trio – Tempo I

Performing with: Jacques Rouvier, klavier; Fatma Said, Soprano

Programme

CARTE BLANCHE DAVID FRAY III

Bach Goldberg Variations BWV 988

His leading man good looks and natural elegance have been the hallmark of the early years of young French pianist David Fray’s career. Taught by Jacques Rouvier and winner of the Second Grand Prize at the Montreal International Music Competition, he came to public attention with an unconventional but successful recording of Bach and Boulez, an unusual marriage which emphasises his personality and taste for musical affinities. David Fray devotes his three-part Carte Blanche this season to the iconic Cantor of Leipzig. With this final concert he reaches the apogee of the Goldberg Variations, thirty fantastical variations of uncommon intensity which their composer claimed to have penned “for enthusiasts and to entertain the mind”. This is an incredible summary of a whole life of music.

Renaud Capuçon: Violin

David Fray: Piano

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685–1750)

Violin Sonata in E, BWV 1016

Adagio

Allegro

Adagio ma non tanto

Allegro

Violin Sonata in C minor, BWV 1017

Siciliano: Largo

Allegro

Adagio

Allegro

Violin Sonata in F minor, BWV 1018

Largo

Allegro

Adagio

Vivace

– Intermission –

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770–1827)

Violin Sonata in A, op. 47

   »Kreutzer-Sonate«

Adagio sostenuto – Presto

Andante con variazioni

Finale: Presto

Prices II: 69 € / 59 € / 49 € / 39 €

Conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong leads a dynamic performance of operatic and symphonic treasures by Mozart and other masters. Experience the brilliant orchestral color and charm of 24-year-old Mozart’s rarely performed ballet music from his opera, Idomeneo. Then, kinetic French pianist David Fray tackles the turbulent maelstrom of the composer’s Piano Concerto No. 24. Also on the program, Verdi’s powerful overture to his grand opera I vespri siciliani, and the vivacious Mediterranean postcard of Elgar’s Alassio.

Francesco Lecce-Chong
Conductor

David Fray
Piano

San Francisco Symphony

Mozart
Ballet Music from Idomeneo, K.367

Mozart
Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K.491

Verdi
Overture to I vespri siciliani

Elgar
In the South (Alassio)

Conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong leads a dynamic performance of operatic and symphonic treasures by Mozart and other masters. Experience the brilliant orchestral color and charm of 24-year-old Mozart’s rarely performed ballet music from his opera, Idomeneo. Then, kinetic French pianist David Fray tackles the turbulent maelstrom of the composer’s Piano Concerto No. 24. Also on the program, Verdi’s powerful overture to his grand opera I vespri siciliani, and the vivacious Mediterranean postcard of Elgar’s Alassio.

Francesco Lecce-Chong
Conductor

David Fray
Piano

San Francisco Symphony

Mozart
Ballet Music from Idomeneo, K.367

Mozart
Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K.491

Verdi
Overture to I vespri siciliani

Elgar
In the South (Alassio)

Conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong leads a dynamic performance of operatic and symphonic treasures by Mozart and other masters. Experience the brilliant orchestral color and charm of 24-year-old Mozart’s rarely performed ballet music from his opera, Idomeneo. Then, kinetic French pianist David Fray tackles the turbulent maelstrom of the composer’s Piano Concerto No. 24. Also on the program, Verdi’s powerful overture to his grand opera I vespri siciliani, and the vivacious Mediterranean postcard of Elgar’s Alassio.

Francesco Lecce-Chong
Conductor

David Fray
Piano

San Francisco Symphony

Mozart
Ballet Music from Idomeneo, K.367

Mozart
Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K.491

Verdi
Overture to I vespri siciliani

Elgar
In the South (Alassio)

ORQUESTRA SINFÓNICA DO PORTO CASA DA MÚSICA

David Fray direcção musical e piano

Concerto comentado por Helena Marinho

Johann Sebastian Bach Concerto para piano e orquestra em Lá maior, BWV 1055

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Concerto para piano e orquestra nº 24, em Dó menor, K.491

No fim‑de‑semana em que decorre a homenagem a Helena Sá e Costa, e no preciso dia em que se completam 106 anos desde o seu nascimento, a Orquestra Sinfónica apresenta um programa com dois dos compositores preferidos da célebre pianista portuense. A leveza do Concerto em Lá maior, com melodias sinuosas e virtuosismo ornamental, faz deste um excelente exemplo do estilo concertante de Bach. Com os seus comentários, Helena Marinho tornará clara a diferença entre a música concertante dos períodos Barroco e Clássico – este último ilustrado com um elegante e delicado concerto de Mozart. Autêntica revelação das salas de concerto na última década, o francês David Fray é simultaneamente maestro e solista nestes diálogos entre orquestra e piano, num dia muito especial para todos os amantes do instrumento.

David Fray direcção musical e piano

Johann Sebastian Bach Concerto para piano e orquestra em Ré menor, BWV 1052

Johann Sebastian Bach Concerto para piano e orquestra em Lá maior, BWV 1055

‑

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Concerto para piano e orquestra nº 24, em Dó menor, K.491

Descrito como “poeta” e “talvez o mais inspirado e original intérprete de Bach da sua geração”, David Fray faz a sua estreia na Casa da Música com repertório que lhe trouxe a aclamação internacional. A gravação dos Concertos de Bach com a Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen valeu‑lhe o prestigiado Prémio da Crítica Discográfica Alemã. Em 2008 foi Revelação do Ano da BBC Music Magazine. Ao lado da Orquestra Sinfónica apresenta concertos de compositores cimeiros da história da música ocidental.

“Fray tem uma técnica brilhante e um respeito sério e profundo pela música.” CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Johann Sebastian Bach Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 3 E major BWV 1016, Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 4 C minor BWV 1017, Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 5 in F minor BWV 1018 
Ludwig van Beethoven Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 9 in A major op. 47 »Kreutzer«

Program

Renaud Capuçon / David Fray

Comments from before concert

At 3 p.m.
Duration: 30 minutes
Lower-atrium, free entry

Programme

CARTE BLANCHE DAVID FRAY II

Bach Sonata for violin and piano No. 3 BWV 1016
Sonata for violin and piano No. 4 BWV 1017
Sonata for violin and piano No. 5 BWV 1018
Beethoven Sonata for violin and piano No. 9 « A Kreutzer »

David Fray and Renaud Capuçon, his partner for this Bach-Beethoven evening, have put together a sumptuous programme. The first half will consist of three of the six sonatas for violin and harpsichord (performed on the piano tonight) which will arouse the admiration of the audience, but also represent a real challenge for the performers. This cycle for a string and keyboard duo is the product of the commanding hand of a driven musician. The rigor of the composition, with its wealth of contrasts and inventive touches, spans the full emotional spectrum, from the most extreme tension to the subtlest sensuality. In counterpoint, the second half will feature the Kreutzer Sonata, the most famous (and longest at nearly 40 minutes) of Beethoven’s ten sonatas, a “hand-to-hand battle between two instruments” joined here by a pair of exceptional performers.

Programme

• J.S. Bach – Goldberg – Variations, BWV 988

This concert has an intermission

Master Pianists series:

The Master Pianists series has existed since 1987 and is organised by Riaskoff Concert Management, an internationally renowned management agency for classical musicians. For many years now, the Master Pianists series has been among the most prestigious piano series in the world. Ever since its inaugural season in 1987-1988, the series guarantees recitals of exceptional quality by the world’s most revered pianists. The Master Pianists series not only presents pianists of established international renown, each season it also offers opportunities to at least one promising young pianist. For many talented young pianists, such a recital is seen as another step on the path to a major career.

Program:

• Schumann Symphony No. 1, “Spring”
• Jocelyn Morlock Cobalt
• Chopin Piano Concerto No. 2
• National Arts Centre Orchestra

• conductor: Alexander Shelley
• violin: Yosuke Kawasaki
• violin: Jessica Linnebach
• piano: David Fray

David Fray makes his highly-anticipated debut on the NAC stage. The pianist is making waves for his ability to contrast explosive, muscular moments on the keyboard with sweet and fading sentimentality.  Chopin’s Concerto No. 2 serves as the perfect introduction to Fray’s polished finesse and panache: Chopin composed it as a piece intended to showcase his talents wherever he went as a traveling virtuoso. Fray has a particular affinity for the composer, having released an album of his piano music in 2017. Not only does the pianist have this intimate connection to the music, but he has previously worked with Music Director, Alexander Shelley. Delight in a performance rich in harmony from the close ties between the music and musicians.

Program:

• Schumann Symphony No. 1, “Spring”
• Jocelyn Morlock Cobalt
• Chopin Piano Concerto No. 2

Artists

• conductor: Alexander Shelley
• violin: Yosuke Kawasaki
• violin: Jessica Linnebach
• piano: David Fray

David Fray makes his highly-anticipated debut on the NAC stage. The pianist is making waves for his ability to contrast explosive, muscular moments on the keyboard with sweet and fading sentimentality.  Chopin’s Concerto No. 2 serves as the perfect introduction to Fray’s polished finesse and panache: Chopin composed it as a piece intended to showcase his talents wherever he went as a traveling virtuoso. Fray has a particular affinity for the composer, having released an album of his piano music in 2017. Not only does the pianist have this intimate connection to the music, but he has previously worked with Music Director, Alexander Shelley. Delight in a performance rich in harmony from the close ties between the music and musicians.

Program:

• Schumann Symphony No. 1, “Spring”
• Jocelyn Morlock Cobalt
• Chopin Piano Concerto No. 2

Artists

• conductor: Alexander Shelley
• violin: Yosuke Kawasaki
• violin: Jessica Linnebach
• piano: David Fray

Conductor:

Cristian Mandeal

Soloist:

Program:

A. Pärt: Fratres

F. Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2

David Fray  piano and direction
Jacques Rouvier  piano
Emmanuel Christien  piano
Audrey Vigoureux  piano

Programme

CARTE BLANCHE DAVID FRAY I

Bach Concerto for 2 pianos BWV 1061
Concerto for 2 pianos BWV 1060
Concerto for 2 pianos BWV 1062
Concerto for 3 pianos BWV 1063
Concerto for 4 pianos BWV 1065

In addition to his vast corpus for solo piano, Bach also composed six concertos for different piano configurations (BWV 1060 to BWV 1065). In this series, the three double concertos (BWV 1060, 1061 and 1062) rank very highly and all boast an extraordinary polyphonic richness. However, the apogee of the art is the sublime concerto for four pianos (BWV 1065) in which the musician displays his consummate skill in the allocation of parts between the four instruments. David Fray is in good company for this rare performance of the almost complete series.

David Fray (France)
Piano Recital

Online sales will be announced later

Organizers: Ildar Bakeyev Concert Foundation

Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Ruth Reinhardt CONDUCTS
David Fray PIANO

World-renowned pianist David Fray performing Beethoven, along with the Háry János Suite by Kodály and Hindemith’s bracing and uplifting Concert Music for Strings and Brass.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Ruth Reinhardt CONDUCTS
David Fray PIANO

World-renowned pianist David Fray performing Beethoven, along with the Háry János Suite by Kodály and Hindemith’s bracing and uplifting Concert Music for Strings and Brass.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Ruth Reinhardt CONDUCTS
David Fray PIANO

World-renowned pianist David Fray performing Beethoven, along with the Háry János Suite by Kodály and Hindemith’s bracing and uplifting Concert Music for Strings and Brass.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Ruth Reinhardt CONDUCTS
David Fray PIANO

World-renowned pianist David Fray performing Beethoven, along with the Háry János Suite by Kodály and Hindemith’s bracing and uplifting Concert Music for Strings and Brass.

Riccardo Muti leads an evening of Austro-German and Italian splendor at the CSO’s annual Symphony Ball concert, featuring beloved Strauss waltzes and Mozart’s sublime Piano Concerto No. 24 with David Fray. “Fray is poetry on the keyboard” (Chicago Tribune).

A festive preconcert reception is open to all ticketholders at 6:00 p.m. at Symphony Center. The preconcert reception will include drinks and passed hors d’oeuvres, entertainment and other festivities.

Patrons purchasing Symphony Ball gala ticket packages will continue their evening with a postconcert dinner and dancing in the Grand Ballroom at the Palmer House. For more information and to purchase Gala ticket packages, please call 312-294-3185 or send us a message with this form.

Program

Brahms’ lively Hungarian Dances are paired with Hindemith’s symphony Mathis der Maler (Matthias the Painter), a work that explores the role of an artist in society. David Fray performs Beethoven’s dramatic Third Piano Concerto.