Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Royal Scottish National Orchestra and conductor Elim Chan join forces with Czech pianist Lukáš Vondráček to take on works by Dukas, Liszt and Bartók.
A popular concert piece since its first appearance in 1897, Dukas’s The Sorcerer's Apprentice was inspired by a poem by Goethe, telling the story of a young assistant whose attempt to channel his master’s powers soon spirals out of control. Now best-known for its appearance in Walt Disney’s 1940 film Fantasia, even without visual accompaniment Dukas’s composition paints an animated picture all by itself.
Liszt’s innovative and fantastically virtuosic first Piano Concerto is brought to life by Czech-born Lukáš Vondráček, who gave his first concert at just four years old and has since won numerous prizes, including the prestigious Grand Prix at the 2016 Concours Reine Elisabeth in Brussels.
Hong Kong-born Elim Chan, the RSNO’s vibrant Principal Guest Conductor, directs the Orchestra in this brilliantly entertaining work. There’s more Hollywood-style glamour in the roof-raising showpiece of Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra. Its whirling energy and mischievous wit showcase the extraordinary talents of the RSNO musicians in a defiant cry of joy from a Hungarian composer in the USA in 1943.
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Elim Chan Conductor
Lukáš Vondráček Piano
DukasThe Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Liszt Piano Concerto No.1
Bartók Concerto for Orchestra
Please note: Martin Grubinger has had to withdraw from this concert after testing positive for COVID-19. We are very grateful to Lukáš Vondráček, who has agreed to step in to perform an updated programme with Royal Scottish National Orchestra.