Waltz and malambo

Maurice Ravel's imaginative and even humorous La valse is a tribute to the waltz and Johann Strauss II. Originally, the working title for this music was "Vienne", then he changed it from the French spelling to German, "Wien", before finally deciding that the fitting title would be La valse. Ravel and Argentine Alberto Ginastera frame the program, the latter with fiery dance in the form of Malambo.

Witold Lutosławski is one of the most significant composers of the 20th century. In his Fourth Symphony, which also became his last, lyrically tasteful sounds are combined with rhythmic elegance. He himself conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the world premiere on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

Before the interval, we also hear two works for saxophone: Villa-Lobos's exuberant and warm Fantasia for Saxophone and Small Orchestra, and a newly written saxophone concerto by British composer Dani Howard, composed for Jess Gillam. The vibrant English saxophonist Jess Gillam made her debut at Konserthuset in February 2023, as one of the season's Rising Stars. She charts her own course and is a shining example of how a new generation of musicians revitalizes the genre.