Odense Symphony Orchestra bids farewell to chief conductor Pierre Bleuse with a concert celebrating his five years leading the orchestra. Through music – a language without borders – stories unfold of farewell, love, and life itself.
The concert opens with Richard Strauss' Vier Letzte Lieder (Four Last Songs), one of the soprano repertoire's greatest masterpieces. Soloist Ausrine Stundyte fills these four songs with her beautiful melodies, supported by the orchestra's warm and nuanced instrumentation. The songs revolve around themes of death and farewell, wrapped in a sophisticated orchestral brilliance.
Gustav Mahler takes centre stage in the second part with the Adagio from his unfinished Symphony No. 10. The score brims with passion, especially through the famous quotation "To live for you! To die for you!" – Mahler's heartfelt homage to his wife. The movement's quiet passages are shattered by a violent symphonic cry of pain, before returning to joy and profound tranquility.
Claude Debussy's Images pour orchestre concludes the programme – a symphonic portrait of Britain, Spain, and France, reminding us of five years during which Pierre Bleuse has been our musical guide to French music and culture in Odense.
This is Pierre's farewell concert as chief conductor – but not a final goodbye. He will return as guest conductor in seasons to come.
Practical Information
- Conductor: Pierre Bleuse
- Soloist: Ausrine Stundyte, soprano
- Programme: C. Debussy: Images pour orchestre. R. Strauss: Vier Letzte Lieder. G. Mahler: Excerpts from Symphony No. 10 – Adagio
- Venue: Odense Concert Hall
- Admission: 345 kr
