Orchestre Français des Jeunes

The Orchestre Français des Jeunes once again takes up winter quarters at the Opéra de Dijon to host the legendary Elisabeth Leonskaja in Beethoven’s Emperor, before showcasing its virtuosity in Bartók’s extraordinary Concerto for orchestra.

Premiered in Hannover in 1954 and written for an orchestra of young musicians, the Little Night’s Music of Dallapiccola pays homage to Mozart as well as to the Spanish poet Antonio Machado, author of Noche de Verano. With writing both serial yet simple and transparent, its suspenseful conclusion offers a superb prelude to Beethoven’s Concerto n°5. This concerto, named the Emperor in reference to Napoleon, is also considered "the Emperor of Concertos", with the heroism and mystery of the first movement, the sublime cantilena of the Adagio, whose nocturnal religiosity so enchanted Bernstein, and the bounding virtuosity of the Finale. And when the orchestra itself becomes its own soloist — and its own accompanist — the result is the fascinating Concerto for orchestra by Bartók, with its five movements, progressing from dark to light, allowing each instrumental timbre to shine in isolation, putting the spotlight on each section in favour of a settled, subtle and hedonistic modernity.

Musical director Michael Schønwandt
Orchestre Français des Jeunes 
Piano Elisabeth Leonskaja

 ^{With the patronage of the Crédit Agricole de Champagne-Bourgogne}

^{Photo © Luc Menneteau}

Luigi Dallapiccola
Piccola musica notturna

Ludwig van Beethoven 
Concerto for piano in E flat major n°5 op. 73, "Emperor"

Béla Bartók
Concerto for orchestra

· concert with commentary | Monday 9 December 2:30pm 
Concerto for orchestra by Bartók

· rehearsal for schoolchildren | Tuesday 10 December 10am
Piccola musica notturna by Dallapiccola
Emperor Concerto by Beethoven 

estimated lengths 1h, without intermission