Berlioz | Saariaho at The Bridgewater Hall
Will Fulford-Jones
Berlioz – Overture, ‘King Lear’ (15’)
Berlioz – Cléopâtre (21’)
Kaija Saariaho – Earth’s Shadows (15’)
Kaija Saariaho – Laterna magica (22’)
‘The most important thing in my perception is that the visual and the musical world are one to me… Sounds, events, scents, colours and dreams twist into each other – my world has been like this as long as I can remember.’ So says Helsinki-born, Paris-based composer Kaija Saariaho, and the statement makes perfect sense in the context of her rich catalogue of works. One of modern music’s most exciting voices, Saariaho will be present at The Bridgewater Hall to hear two of her most vivid pieces: the thrilling textures of Earth’s Shadows, which features fellow Finn Jan Lehtola at the Bridgewater Hall organ, and Laterna magica, a majestic sound world that takes its title from the autobiography of film director Ingmar Bergman.
The first half of the concert is dedicated to Saariaho’s adopted homeland of France, courtesy of conductor Ludovic Morlot and two vibrant pieces – Cléopâtre and the overture to King Lear – by the singular French composer Hector Berlioz.
Jan Lehtola organ
Ludovic Morlot conductor
