Istanbul: second international destination of the Basque National Orchestra in 2020
On 25 January, the Basque National Orchestra premiered at the Thêatre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, and this Monday it will do the same in Istanbul, making this the second of its international premieres in 2020. The event will take place on Monday 9 March at the Cemal Reşit Rey (CRR) Concert Hall in Istanbul.
The Basque National Orchestra continues on its chosen path and rejoins the international circuit, spurred on first by its clear dedication to the role of cultural ambassador and second by its musical quality. This allows the orchestra to return to European stages such as those of Austria and Germany just a year later, and also to open the doors to new ones: the legendary Parisian theatre in January and this renowned musical venue on the banks of the Bosphorus and on the border between Europe and Asia. Istanbul is a city buzzing with cultural activity and with a prestigious agenda that draws renowned ensembles from around the world.
Announced in the programming as ‘Bask Ulusal Orkestrası’, the orchestra will follow the pattern of recent outings when it presents itself in the city by performing a major work by a world famous composer, allowing the orchestra to express its musical sureness, exhibit the current quality of its playing and its excellent preparation. This is what the orchestra did in Paris with The song of the earth by Gustav Mahler and it will do the same in its premiere in Istanbul on Monday 9 March with the Ninth symphony of Anton Bruckner. This work is considered the masterpiece of the Austrian composer. As Robert Trevino noted when he announced the concert in Istanbul, “The Basque National Orchestra should become known for its great interpretive ability and skill, and we can do that with these demanding pieces”.
The date requested by Istanbul prevents Robert Trevino from conducting this concert, and in his absence it will be Hans Graf who will take up the baton. The Austrian was music director of the Basque National Orchestra in the middle of the 1990s and has returned on several occasions as guest conductor. He is a conductor who is known throughout the world and very Brucknerian, which means that he has the full trust of Trevino to lead this début in Istanbul. Bruckner will be preceded by the Violin Concerto No. 1 by Max Bruch and will have Alena Baeva as guest soloist. Despite her youth, Baeva has forged an impressive international career and shares the stage with great artists and musical ensembles. Alena Baeva has already performed in the CRR hall in Istanbul, although this will be the first time she performs with the Basque National Orchestra.
Cemal Reşit Rey (CRR) Concert Hall:
The Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall is one of the country’s main concert halls and the first to be designed for classical music. It owes its name to Turkish composer Cemal Reşit Rey, also an orchestra conductor and founder of the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra. It was inaugurated in March 1989. During the last 30 years it has hosted companies from around the world, and hosts the city’s classical, jazz and dance programme which includes performances by the CRR Symphony Orchestra, the CRR Turkish Music Ensemble and the CRR Jazz Orchestra. This year’s performers have included or will include the English Chamber Orchestra, Kremerata Baltica, The Tallis Scholars, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Maxim Vengerov and the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra.
Istanbul, CRR, 9 March
20:00 Concert presentation
20:30 Concert
Alena Baeva, violin
Basque National Orchestra
Hans Graf, conductor
Max Bruch: Violin and orchestra Concerto No. 1 [24’]
Anton Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 [63’]
