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NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra

Elbphilharmonie & Laeiszhalle Hamburg

Conductor

Conductor (+3)

Marin Alsop

Others

Mitglieder des NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchesters

Bassoonist

David Spranger

Bassoon

Elbphilharmonie

A LOVE OF LOW NOTES
Many phases in her extensive oeuvre betray Sofia Gubaidulina’s fascination with the sound of a large string section playing the low registers. She has written several pieces for cello ensemble, and the double bass also plays a prominent role in a number of her works. So the idea seemed to suggest itself of devoting a concert to this special preference of the now 92-year-old composer, who lives near Hamburg, thus producing a special »Portrait of Sofia Gubaidulina«.

The centrepiece of the evening’s programme is the five-movement Concerto for Bassoon and low strings, written in Russia in 1975, the year of Shostakovich’s death. The rarely-heard work is one of the compositions that display the influence of this towering figure of Soviet music on Gubaidulina’s »middle style«. It is also well-known that Shostakovich encouraged and sponsored her as a young composer. The concerto’s fascination lies in the exceptionally varied and virtuoso sounds of by the low register, as well as the direct appeal of the solo part, taken here by the NDR’s solo bassoonist David Spranger. The concerto is flanked by two pieces scored for a larger cello ensemble. 2002’s »Mirage« with its light fantasies is a fine example of the nature mysticism to be found in Gubaidulina’s late works. »Am Rande des Abgrunds«, written at about the same time, is one of her most frequently-performed compositions, and surprises the listener with its use of two rich-sounding waterphones.

Sofia Gubaidulina has a long-standing connection with the NDR. Among the memorable products of their cooperation are many performances put on by the NDR Chor (now known as the NDR Vokalensemble) – particularly the big first performances of the St John’s Passion and the Easter Oratorio in St. Michael’s Church, Hamburg, in March 2002.

Portrait Sofia Gubaidulina

Caitheadh

Criú

Conductor
Gach clár

Uirlisí ceoil

Bassoon
Concerto For Bassoon And Low Strings

Léiritheoir

Léiritheoir

Ensemble

Eile
Gach clár

Comhléiritheoir

Cláir

Grianghraif

Faoi

Composer

Tuairisc

Achoimre ar an léiriú

Portrait Sofia Gubaidulina

Caitheadh

Criú

ConductorGach clár

Uirlisí ceoil

BassoonConcerto For Bassoon And Low Strings

Léiritheoir

Léiritheoir

Ensemble

EileGach clár

Comhléiritheoir

Cláir

Grianghraif

Faoi

Composer

Tuairisc

Achoimre ar an léiriú

Conductor
Gach clár

Bassoon
Concerto For Bassoon And Low Strings

Eile
Gach clár