Work of the Week - Peter Eötvös: Cello Concerto Grosso
Whenever Hungarian composer Peter Eötvös writes a new large-scale orchestral work, it is likely that it has been commissioned by a group of internationally renowned presenters. This is the case with his new Cello Concerto Grosso, a truly a global project initiated by commissioners from three continents: The Berlin Philharmonic, Tonhalle Zurich, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Bergen Filharmonic and the Seoul Philharmonic.
The Berlin Philharmonic will give the the World Première on 16 June followed by repeat performances on 17 and 18 June with soloist Miklós Perényi, conducted by the composer himself.
As the title suggests, the work is a cross between a cello concerto and a concerto grosso. The result is a special role for entire cello section which, as Eötvös explains, often emerges from the orchestra:
The work is a dialogue in multiple levels: The solo cellist performs with the orchestral cello section, and soloist and cello section both enter into dialogue with the whole orchestra. The concerto retains the classical form of three-movements which could be characterised as ‘energetic, dance-like’, ‘meditative’ and ‘fresh and sparkling’. The music also cites instrumental techniques of Transylvanian folk music such as the ‘Bartók pizzicato’ with its cracking percussive sound. Peter Eötvös
After the Berlin performances the work will be touring the world: From 10 to 16 October there will be daily concerts in Zurich, on 7 March 2012 the Canadian premiere takes place in Toronto, on 20 September it will be performed in Bergen and finally the Korean premiere in Seoul on 22nd October 2012.
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