Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France

Who can resist the powerful and earthly first Concerto of Brahms? For this second half of their superb diptyque, Sir John Eliot Gardiner and Alexandre Kantorow merge piano and orchestra, before allowing the Slavic soul free reign in one of Dvořák’s most endearing symphonies.

The work of a young man of 21 still under the influence of Robert and Clara Schumann, the Concerto n°1 by Brahms had a chaotic debut: conceived first as a symphony, it was completely misunderstood upon its premiere in 1859, and received catcalls and whistles when performed in Leipzig! Hard indeed to believe, given today’s consensus about this splendid score, with its vehement opening first movement (which drew the admiration of Bruckner!), its Adagio in the form of an interiorized canticle, and its playful Finale, with its popular and dancing accents. Characteristic of his "Slavic" period, Dvořák ’s Symphony n°6 (1880) opens with an Allegro of grand serenity, a demonstration of superb orchestral writing. The Adagio that follows, with its nocturnal feel, magnifies the instrumental timbres with its dramatic flair. Instead of the traditional Scherzo, Dvořák inserts a "Furiant", a vigorous Bohemian dance with a complex metre, which brought the entire audience to its feet at the premiere! From its melodious start, the Finale, in which we perceive the influence of Brahms, gathers into a rhythmic crescendo that erupts in frenzied jubilation.

Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France
Musical director Mikko Franck
Direction Sir John Eliot Gardiner
Piano Alexandre Kantorow

^{Photo © Christophe Abramowitz}

Johannes Brahms 
Concerto for piano n° 1 in D minor op. 15

Antonín Dvořák
Symphony n° 6 in D major op. 60