Bruno Vlahek, piano
(Winner of the Ricard Viñes Internacional Piano Competition 2008)
Jaime Martín, Conductor

 
Sergei Rakhmàninov              Variations on a Paganini theme
Ludwig van Beethoven           Symphony Nº 3, in E flat major, op.55, “Heroica”

The term ‘proactive’ was coined by Viktor Frankl, a psychiatrist who underwent torture in the Nazi camps. It describes our ability to adapt without fear to the changes around us, however terrible. Few composers have been as proactive and creative as Ludwig van Beethoven who, in the middle of social and personal turbulence, he remained true to a kind of communion with humanity. His Heroica symphony is perhaps the clearest example: hinged between classicism and the new romantic musical language. We will be led by Jaime Martín, who is showing himself to be one of the most proactive conductors around. Bruno Vlahek, winner of the Ricard Viñes Competition, 2008, will offer us the demonic 24 variations of the Paganini’s Caprici Nº 24 for violin, re-invented for piano by Rachmaninov.