Kent Nagano conducts Moussa, Mendelssohn and Brahms – With Emanuel Ax

The concert will be the opportunity to discover the world premiere of the Samy Moussa's Nocturne for orchestra, commissioned by the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. Its leitmotif? To help the sound travelling, in composing a pure melody, with a single-theme and some variations. Moussa wants to create a great harmony in the sound of the orchestra. His wish could be echoed with the exceptional acoustic of the concert hall of the Maison Symphonique de Montréal.

Another great work to be performed during this concert is Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, called Reformation. A posthumously published work, it reminds us of both the depth of the religious mind and the spiritual power of Protestantism. Mendelssohn's melodic and dramatic genius are highlighted in this work. A majestic piece, it was inspired by the celebrations for the Tercentenary of the Augsburg Confession that had been celebrated on June 25th, 1830 by German Protestants.

Today Emanuel Ax is one of the most sought-after pianists on international stages. In this concert he performs Brahms's Concerto No. 1 in D Minor. This work, usually appreciated by music lovers for its virtuosity and its poetry, is one of Emanuel Ax's favourite piano concertos. He once said about it:

“I have loved the music of Brahms since I was a teenager. […] The more I got to know his music and his personal story, the more I admired both.”