Two Frenchmen provide tantalizing tastes of their backgrounds—Lalo’s Spanish heritage and Ravel’s Basque lineage. Lalo’s savory work, featuring such evocative styles as seguidilla and habanera, promises a workout for the Stradivarius of Canadian violinist James Ehnes, who’s been called “the Heifetz of our day.” Englishman Elgar’s Variations sketch characteristics of his friends and explore friendship, but the overarching theme—maybe musical, maybe not—remains an enigma. The stately Nimrod variation has achieved anthem status.
“[Dutoit’s] bright hues take on an almost blinding gleam, softer ones have a velvety glow, and dynamics are expanded similarly.” —THE NEW YORK TIMES
On Thursday, January 31, the San Francisco Symphony performs this concert at the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University. For more information about this beautiful, state-of-the-art venue, please visit sfsymphony.org/greenmusic.
Conductor/Performers
conductor
violin
San Francisco Symphony
Program
Concert Length is approximately 2 hours.
Podcasts
Elgar's Enigma Variations