The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra encounters incredible women with Mel Bonis's Three Legendary Women and Strauss's Elektra, alongside Mozart with pianist Javier Perianes.
Tonight, under conductor Anja Bihlmaier, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra encounters incredible women – and none more remarkable than the pioneering 19th century French composer Mel Bonis. Through her we explore three characters: the princess Salome knows her own powers and strikes a terrible bargain, Ophelia is the tragic lover of Shakespeare's Hamlet, and Cleopatra rules like a goddess and dies like a queen. Meanwhile Richard Strauss harks back to ancient Greece, where Elektra nurtures a murderous obsession – until, to some of the most shatteringly violent music ever composed, she witnesses heaven and earth rain vengeance upon her tormentors. It’s a gripping contrast to Mozart at his most graceful, as pianist Javier Perianes brings all his charisma and imagination to a concerto that Mozart once played himself.
Presented by Kate Molleson live from City Halls, Glasgow.
Mel Bonis: Trois femmes de légende (Three Legendary Women): Salome, Ophelia & The Dream of Cleopatra
Mozart: Piano Concerto No 17 in G major, K 453
interval
Strauss: Elektra Suite arr. Honeck
Javier Perianes, piano
Anja Bihlmaier, conductor
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
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