Berlioz, Prokofiev & Beethoven

The Seattle Symphony welcomes rising star conductor Kirill Karabits and award-winning Moscow-born Israeli pianist Boris Giltburg for a diverse program of works by Berlioz, Prokofiev and Beethoven. Exploring the shades and expressions of Berlioz lyrical romanticism, Prokofiev's groundbreaking 20th century explorations and Beethoven's genre-straddling virtuosity, the evening begins with the boisterous Roman Carnival Overture, arguably Berlioz's most popular piece thanks to its vigorous depiction of a lively and joyful festival scene.

In stark contrast, the program continues with Prokofiev's Fifth Piano Concerto, a dazzling yet subtle display of diamond-sharp orchestration, fierce originality and fearlessness in experimenting with the fundamentals of classical music. Things come to a close with Beethoven's great Fifth Symphony, a masterwork that is ingrained in the collective memory because of its immortal and instantly-recognisable opening notes - four hammer blows of fate that herald four movements grand moments, simmering drama and an explosive finale where the glories of trombones, piccolo and contrabassoon finally come into play.