Great Orchestras of Europe
Stockholm - Prague - Amsterdam - ParisThe Prague Spring Festival, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Valery Gergiev, Renée Fleming...ah...
At ABC Classic FM, I'm regularly seduced by recordings of great artists and conductors made in the legendary concert halls of Europe or at one of the numerous historic music festivals.
This tour gives us the chance to hear and see a number of big name European orchestras, conductors and soloists making great music in four cities with a rich musical past and present: Stockholm, Prague, Amsterdam and Paris.
Tour highlights will include Renee Fleming singing Strauss with the Orchestre de Paris under Christoph Eschenbach in Stockholm. During several days exploring Prague in the footsteps of Mozart and Dvorak, we'll take in two concerts at the Prague Spring Festival, (details t.b.a. in early 2009). We'll see Gustavo Dudamel, the miracle maestro from Venezuela make his debut with the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam conducting Prokofiev's lyrical 5th Symphony with flamboyant French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet (he of the diamond-studded concert shoes) playing the Grieg Piano concerto, and experience a clash of centuries when the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra and Schoenberg Ensemble tie the past with the present in a concert featuring the incomparable German baritone Matthias Goerne singing Bach. Our sojourn in romantic Paris includes a concert by the Vienna Philharmonic conducted by the insomniac Valery Gergiev in the Theatre des Champs Elysees where the riotous premiere of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring took place. We'll hear the VPO play another famous Stravinsky ballet score: the Firebird.
Read on for more details and I hope you can join me for this European Orchestra Spring extravaganza next May.
Mairi
Gustavo Dudamel
ITINERARY
Tuesday 12 May 2009: Depart Australia
Depart Sydney / Melbourne on Thai Airways flights via Bangkok. Overnight in flight.
Wednesday 13 May: Arrive Stockholm
Early morning arrival in Stockholm and transfer to your hotel located in the city centre (early check-in included).
This afternoon join your local guide for a walking tour through the picturesque, cobble-stoned streets of Gamla Stan (Old Town) including a guided tour of the Royal Palace. Join Mairi Nicolson and fellow music lovers’ for a welcome dinner. (D)
Thursday 14 May: Stockholm
A morning tour will introduce you to this sophisticated city built around an intimate harbour and often referred to as the ‘Venice of the North’. Drive along elegant Strandvagen, Södermalm the largest of the islands, through the Diplomatic Quarters and fashionable Östermalm. See the Town Hall where the Nobel Prizes are awarded annually before finishing at the Vasa Museum, which houses the 17th century Swedish warship that sank in Stockholm Harbour on its maiden voyage and was raised to the surface only in 1961.
Free afternoon to explore the stylish shopping and elegant coffeehouses in the Old Town or visit the Skansen ‘open-air’ museum. Tonight attend a concert at the Concert Hall by the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Andris Nelsons with Gianluca Cascioli (piano). (B,L)
Mozart – Piano Concerto Nr 23 A-Major
Shostakovich – Symphony Nr 4
Friday 15 May Stockholm
Enjoy a full day trip to Drottningholm Palace built between 1662-1686 and the seat of the Swedish Royal family. Visit the showrooms of the Palace, the Chinese Pavilion in the French baroque park dating back to 1777, and also the Drottningholm Court Theatre, completed in 1766. After Gustav III's death in 1792, the court theatre was more or less forgotten until 19th August 1922 when the curtain rose again and the theatre has since acquired an international reputation as a festival theatre.
Evening concert by the Orchestre de Paris with Renee Fleming (soprano) conducted by Christoph Eschenbach. (B,L)
Strauss – Scenes from Capriccio
Bruckner - Symphony Nr 9
Saturday 16 May: Stockholm
Morning cruise through Stockholm’s inner archipelago on board the beautifully renovated historic steam-ship MS Stockholm, dating back to 1931.
Afternoon concert (3 pm) by the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gustavo Dudamel with Leonidas Kavakos (violin). (B)
Salonen - Insomnia
Tchaikovsky – Violin Concerto
Beethoven - Symphony Nr 5 (‘Eroica’)
Sunday 17 May: Stockholm - Prague
Transfer to the airport for a Czech Airlines flight to Prague (2 hr).
After check-in at your hotel, enjoy a late afternoon walking tour of the historic centre of Prague. See Wenceslas Square, pass the Estates Theatre (where Mozart conducted the premieres of Don Giovanni and La clemenza di Tito in 1787 and 1791 respectively) and walk through the narrow cobble-stoned streets of the Stare Mesto (‘Old Town’). Finish at the famous Charles Bridge, followed by dinner. (B,D)
Monday 18 May: Prague
Morning tour of Hradčany, Prague’s Castle District, a huge complex of buildings dating back to the 9th century with spectacular views over the Vltava River. Visit the Strahov Monastery, the Royal Palace, St Vitus’s Cathedral and the Golden Lane.
The afternoon is at leisure before attending your first performance of the Prague Spring Festival (details to be announced in early 2009). (B L)
Tuesday 19 May: Prague
This morning explore “Art Nouveau Prague” and the Jewish Quarter, visiting Pinkas Synagogue, the Jewish Cemetery and the Spanish Synagogue. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the area surrounding the Jewish Quarter was largely redeveloped in art nouveau style, the finest example of which is the Municipal House, one of Prague’s major public buildings and a Prague Spring Festival venue.
Afternoon at leisure. Tonight after a pre-concert dinner, attend a further concert of the Prague Spring Festival. (B,D)
Wednesday 20 May: Prague
Start the day with a visit to the museum dedicated to the Czech composer Dvořák. Then travel out to Villa Bertramka. Mozart stayed at this former 17th century vineyard manor house during his visits to Prague in 1787 and 1791. Here in this idyllic setting, Mozart finished the score of Don Giovanni shortly before its memorable premiere at the Estates Theatre. Take the funicular to Petrin Hill for lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, visit St Nicholas Church, one of the greatest Baroque buildings in Europe, and the beautiful garden of Wallenstein Palace. (B,L)
Thursday 21 May: Prague - Amsterdam
Mid-morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Amsterdam and transfer to your hotel. (B,D)
Friday 22 May: Amsterdam
Morning walking tour of the historical centre with its tree-lined canals, inviting side-streets and perfectly preserved 17th century houses, followed by a canal cruise.
Afternoon at leisure before a concert by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. This special event will be the debut of Gustavo Dudamel with the RCO. (B)
Grieg – Piano Concerto in A, Op. 16
Prokofjev - Symphony No. 5 in B flat major, Op. 100
Chávez – Symphony No. 2 (‘India Symphony’)
Saturday 23 May: Amsterdam
Morning at leisure to explore Amsterdam and its famous museums. In the afternoon return to the Concertgebouw for two concerts. First is the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra conducted by Gottfried von der Goltz and the Schönberg Ensemble conducted by Reinbert de Leeuw, with Matthias Goerne (baritone).
Zelenka - Ouverture a 7 concertanti in F
J.S. Bach - Cantata 'Ich habe genug', BWV 82
Birtwistle - Bach Measures
Rihm – The Painter Dreams (world premiere performance)
At the conclusion of the afternoon concert, an early dinner will be served at a nearby restaurant, followed by the evening concert, a Bach program with Michael Chance, counter-tenor, Lisa Larson, soprano and Musica Amphion. (B,D)
J.S. Bach - Cantata 'Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust', BWV 170
J.S. Bach - Cantata 'Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen!', BWV 51
J.S. Bach - Tilge, Höchster, meine Sünden, BWV 1083 (Psalm 51, from Pergolesi's 'Stabat Mater')
Sunday 24 May: Amsterdam - Paris
Enjoy a leisurely day’s drive from Amsterdam to Paris (approx 500 km, 5-6 hrs, plus breaks). (B,D)
Monday 25 May: Paris
This morning begin your exploration of Paris with a leisurely tour by coach of the ‘Right Bank’. From the Palais de Chaillot with its spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower, you will see the Arc de Triomphe and drive along the Champs Elysées to the Place de la Concorde, Jardin des Tuileries, past the Louvre and the Palais Royal. Continue via the Grands Boulevards to the Hotel de Ville, Place des Vosges and the Marais.
Continue on a leisurely luncheon cruise along the river Seine. No other European city defines itself by its river in the same way as Paris. The Seine is the essential point of reference to the city: it divides the capital of France into two distinct areas, the Right Bank on the north side of the river and the Left Bank on the south side. Practically every building of note in Paris is either along the river bank or within a stone’s throw of it. Above all, the river is very alive. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
Tonight attend a concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Valery Gergiev at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees. (B,L)
Sibelius - Symphony Nr. 1 in e Minor, Op. 39
Rimsky-Korsakov - Russian Easter Festival Overture, Op. 36
Stravinsky - The Firebird, suite
Tuesday 26 May: Paris
Full day excursion to Versailles. Start the visit with a tour of the King’s Kitchen Garden and see the newly renovated Hall of Mirrors.
After lunch, visit the Queen's Hamlet, the rustic retreat that was built for Marie Antoinette. It is situated in the private section of the park of Versailles, in a secluded spot within reach of Ange-Jacques Gabriel's Petit Trianon, which Louis XV had built for Madame de Pompadour, and which his successor Louis XVI subsequently gave to his queen. (B,L)
Wednesday 27 May: Paris
Today continue your detailed exploration of Paris with the ‘Left Bank’, often referred to as the Latin Quarter with its somewhat more Bohemian atmosphere. On the way, stop on the Ile de la Cite for a visit to Sainte-Chapelle, a jewel of 13th century architecture, famous for its stained glass windows. From here, travelling on foot and by coach, pass through Saint-Germain with its numerous monuments and famous cafes frequented by students, artists, writers and philosophers. Continue to St Sulpice, the Luxembourg Gardens and Le Senat. Drive past Les Invalides (tomb of Napoleon) and the Eiffel Tower and finish at the Musée d’Orsay for a farewell lunch. Aternoon at leisure to remain at the museum and explore it’s fascinating collection.
Evening concert by the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, conducted by Yuri Temirkanov and Denis Matsuev (piano) at the Cité de la Musique. (B,L)
Thursday 28 May: Depart Paris
Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast. (B)
YOUR HOTELS:****
Stockholm – Scandic Sergel Plaza
Prague –K+K Central
Amsterdam – Okura
Paris - Lutetia
NB. Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted.
