Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4

Aurel Dawidiuk was appointed the Concertgebouw Orchestra’s associate conductor in September 2024. The concerts under his direction are the highlight of this Bernard Haitink Associate Conductorship. Don’t miss the very first subscription concerts led by a remarkable young talent and featuring Tchaikovsky’s intimate Symphony No. 4 and two milestones of French music.

Tchaikovsky’s symphonies contain ‘hidden meanings’ which he himself rarely revealed, only hinting at them in his letters and diaries. But with the Fourth Symphony, he revealed the code. The driving force behind the work was ‘Fate, the bringer of eternally dark skies’. Yet it ends with exuberance and full of gratitude: the final movement is a true celebration. But the fun actually kicks off with the wonderful elven ballet programmed before the symphony.

Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune is perhaps the dreamiest, most sensual piece of music ever written for orchestra. No other work so clearly showcases the French colour palette. Francis Poulenc’s music also sounds typically French, but in a different way – like a weird and wonderful mix of old French court music and Parisian cafe tunes. His Organ Concerto is an impressive balancing act between religious seriousness and joie de vivre. The composer himself considered it one of his best works. The soloist is none other than Leo van Doeselaar.