NSOI: Louis Lortie plays Chopin

National Symphony Orchestra Ireland
Jean-Luc Tingaud, conductor
Louis Lortie, piano

Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1
Franck Symphony in D minor 

With National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, two essential cornerstones of the Romantic era –  from two of their greatest champions: Louis Lortie, one of today’s most insightful Chopin interpreters, and acclaimed master of French music, Jean-Luc Tingaud.

Acclaimed as a ‘model Chopinist’ (BBC Music), Louis Lortie treats Chopin’s First Piano Concerto – all you would expect from a passionate 20-year-old: fiery, lyrical, youthful fervour, a melting slow movement and exuberant Polish spirit – with heart-on-sleeve poetry and bold, blazing virtuosity.

Chopin’s concerto is Romanticism at its most expressive, with a beautiful slow movement, a vibrant finale accented with Polish dance rhythms, one of the era’s most virtuosic and brilliant piano lines, and lavish orchestral accompaniment to match.   

Admired for his conducting of the music of his native France, Jean-Luc Tingaud is the perfect guide to being swept up by the intricate design, rich orchestration and drama of Franck’s only Symphony.

Shifting from haunting mystery to radiant triumph, the Symphony is a compelling collage of recurring themes carried off with improvisational energy and a richly detailed orchestration with woodwinds, brass, percussion, harp and strings all making memorable contributions.

Presented by NCH