Organization

Conductor

John Storgårds

Singer

Jennifer Pike

Violin

Bass-baritone

Kostas Smoriginas

BBC Philharmonic

Orchestra

Others

Estonian Male National Choir

BBC Philharmonic | 18 May

Manchester

United Kingdom

The Bridgewater Hall

Public

Concert

Approved

Dulcet tones fill the Bridgewater Hall as John Storgårds guides us through an evening of profound emotional contemplation. Opening the concert is Pärt’s De Profundis, his take on a psalm that has inspired composers throughout history. Following this, Sibelius’s Violin Concerto, his only true concerto. Inspired by sweeping landscapes and the tranquillity of nature, its captivating melodies growing into dashing virtuosity – performed here by Jennifer Pike – cement it as one of the best of all. Finally, we end the night with Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 13, a grave plea against antisemitism wrapped within some of the composer’s most powerful music.

The Estonian National Male Choir, founded in 1944, is currently the largest full-time professional male choir in the world.

For more than 50 years it was led by the celebrated composer and leader of the Estonian choral movement, Gustav Ernesaks, and is now conducted by Mikk Üleoja.

Over 76 years, the Estonian National Male Choir has given more than 6000 concerts all over the world, performing a cappella choral music to large-scale symphonic works to traditional folk music.

English

BBC Philharmonic | 18 May by Various, From (2023/2023), Conductor John Storgårds, The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, United Kingdom

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Ensemble

Program, About & Synopsis

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues