Alexandra Dariescu

Programme: Sibelius En saga Pejačević Phantasie Concertante* Ravel Mother Goose Suite Stravinsky The Firebird Suite (1919) *Supported by the ABO Trust’s Sirens programme Performers: Emilia Hoving conductor Alexandra Dariescu piano Royal Philharmonic Orchestra A timeless saga from northern lands, a book of fairy stories with a deliciously French twist, and an adventure beyond your imagination from Igor Stravinsky – a world of dark shadows, dancing demons and glittering colours. Sounds incredible? Just wait until you hear it live with conductor Emilia Hoving and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. That’s the wonder of a great orchestra in full flight; it can take you to extraordinary places. Today, along with pianist Alexandra Dariescu, we’ll take you further as we delve into the musical world of Croatian composer Dora Pejačević, a forgotten genius from the age of Mahler and Ravel. If you enjoy their music, you’ll love this sweeping, deliriously romantic showpiece from the sunset years of the Austro-Hungarian empire. “Phantasie Concertante… sounding a little like Rachmaninov with a modernist twist, gave the soloist Alexandra Dariescu a chance to display pianistic brilliance… Dariescu took all this in her stride.” The Telegraph