Paintings at Mäkelä’s Exhibition

Klaus Mäkelä, conductor and museum fan, compares a good concert programme with a captivating exhibition. And which piece fits the bill better than Mussorgsky’s celebrated Pictures at an Exhibition? Powerful images of archaic Russia pass by, and orchestral wizard Maurice Ravel brings Mussorgsky’s tone paintings to life with his stunning orchestration. Manuel de Falla’s Noches en los jardines de España (Nights in the Gardens of Spain) is equally atmospheric, conjuring three moonlit visions of sultry longings, murmuring fountains and dancing shadows. The Spanish pianist, Javier Perianes, performs the solo part.

Commissioned by the Concertgebouw Orchestra, Hawar Tawfiq's M.C. Escher's Imagination sheds light on Dutch culture. The Dutch/Iraqi composer felt inspired by the labyrinthine world of M.C. Escher and sculptor Theo Jansen’s enchanting ‘beach creatures.’ Unfortunately, because of Covid-19 restrictions, the first performance in 2021 was cancelled. Now, the Concertgebouw Orchestra will finally perform this evocative work, and listeners are welcome to attend.