Leonard Slatkin and Sol Gabetta perform Pärt, Bloch and Tchaikovsky

Composed at the beginning of the past century by Ernest Bloch, Schelomo, Rhapsodie Hébraïque for cello and orchestra is premiered in 1917 at the New York Carnegie Hall by Hans Kindler. A true concerting work, its score makes the principal instrument (which represents the voice of the King Solomon) dialogue with the orchestra, with tones that are characteristic of the works written for the "Jewish cycle" by Bloch.

The first part of the concert also features a work by the Estonian composer, Arvo Pärt. Leonard Slatkin chose one of the composer's most popular and inspiring pieces. The Pathetique however, which has been chosen for the second part of the programme, is a dark score composed by the late Tchaikovsky, who died a few days after conducting the world premiere of the work: a storm of rhythms, colours, passions, anguish – an absolute masterpiece.

Credits.