Rachmaninoff’s Enthralling Symphony no. 2 2024-2025
Osmo Vänskä returns to the Maison symphonique to conduct Rachmaninoff’s sumptuous Symphony no. 2, a masterful interaction of intimacy and exuberance.
Contrasting fall colours, melodies overflowing with lyricism, and a constant give-and-take of intimacy and exuberance characterize Rachmaninoff’s sumptuous Symphony no. 2. Salonen’s Sinfonia Concertante for Organ and Orchestra unfolds in a dreamlike atmosphere created by its ethereal orchestration. This work will feature Olivier Latry, organist emeritus of the OSM and titular organist of the great organ of Notre-Dame de Paris.
Artists
Orchestre symphonique de Montréal
Osmo Vänskä, conductor
Olivier Latry, OSM organist emeritus
Programme
Esa-Pekka Salonen, Sinfonia Concertante for Organ and Orchestra (30 min.)
Intermission (20 min)
Sergei Rachmaninoff, Symphony no. 2 in E minor, op. 27 (60 min.)
Osmo Vänskä
ConductorOsmo Vänskä is Conductor Laureate of the Minnesota Orchestra, and served as Music Director of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra from 2020 to 2023. He is recognized for his compelling interpretations of repertoire from all eras and for his energetic presence on the podium. His democratic and inclusive working style has been key in forging long-standing relationships with many orchestras worldwide. Performances of Mahler’s Symphony no. 8 with the Minnesota Orchestra in June 2022 were a fitting culmination of his tenure there as Music Director, during which time he and the orchestra fulfilled five major European tours, as well as an historic trip to Cuba. They also completed a groundbreaking tour to South Africa as part of worldwide celebrations of Nelson Mandela’s Centenary. Vänskä is the recipient of the Finlandia Foundation’s Arts and Letters Award, the Columbia University’s Ditson Award as well as the Pro Finlandia medal, awarded by the State of Finland.
Olivier Latry
OSM Organist emeritusRegarded as one of the world’s foremost ambassadors of the organ, Olivier Latry has performed on the most prestigious stages worldwide, among others as a guest of major orchestras under renowned conductors. He has recorded with several prominent labels and premiered an impressive number of new works. Appointed titular organist of Notre-Dame de Paris’ Grandes Orgues at age 23 following a competitive examination, he has also been named Organist Emeritus of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. Above all, he is an accomplished, thoughtful, and adventurous musician who explores all possible fields of his instrument. Olivier Latry will also serve as Organist-in-Residence of the Dresden Philharmonic in 2025–2026. A professor of organ at the Conservatoire de Paris until June 2024, he currently serves as William T. Kemper Artist-in-Residence at the University of Kansas School of Music in Lawrence, Kansas.