The Glories of Venice and Buenos Aires
Two fascinating cultures collide as we bring together the glories and grandeur of 18th century Venice with the sophistication and elegance of the Argentinian Belle Epoque…
Without Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) we probably would not have had theclassical three-movement concerto with its fast-slow-fast plan for solo instrument and orchestra.
Of his 300+ concerti, Le quattro stagioni (The Four Seasons) is easily the best known. Each of the four concerti explores a different season of the year – complete with poems to heighten the descriptive qualities of the music.
Vivaldi was also known as Il Prete Rosso ‘The Red Priest’due to his distinctive red hair which he inherited from his father. But don’t be fooled by the white hair in this painting – the composer was wearing a wig!
By contrast, without Ástor Piazzolla (1921-1992) we would probably not have the Tango as we know it today. The family of the two-year-old Piazzolla left their home in Buenos Aires for Greenwich Village, Manhattan, where Ástor was to grow up in 1930s New York.
Yet his heart never left the Argentinian spirit – in fact he was to revolutionise it with the creation of Nuevo Tango – where he discovered a unique musical voice at the crossroads of classical, tango and jazz.
Piazzolla’s Estaciones Porteñas, or The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, mirrors Vivaldi’s four concerti with a set of four Tangos, each giving an impression of the four seasons in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires.
This concert will feature the internationally-celebrated and multi-prize-winning violinist Yury Revich. A successful composer in his own right, his 2023 his album of music by Chevalier St. Georges was included in the official soundtrack of Netflix series Bridgerton.
‘Full-blooded authority, fleet-fingered dexterity, innate musicality, and substantial accuracy…’
The Strad
Vivaldi with Yury Revich
Tuesday 29 April 7.30pm
St George’s Hanover Square, Mayfair, London W1S 1FX
Vivaldi Le Quattro Staggioni
Piazzolla Estaciones Porteñas
London Firebird Orchestra
Principal Guest Conductor Michael Thrift
Violin Yury Revich
