In 2011 the Berliner Philharmoniker and their musical director Sir Simon Rattle welcomed in the New Year with a gala concert entitled ‘Dances & Dreams’. Spinetingling and inspiring performances of music by Dvorˇák, Ravel, Richard Strauss, Stravinsky and Brahms are complemented by the extraordinary talent of the multi-awarded Russian pianist Evgeny Kissin. Kissin’s musicality, the depth and poetic quality of his interpretations, and his extraordinary virtuosity have placed him at the forefront of today’s pianists, and his passionate performance of the renowned Piano Concerto in A minor by Edvard Grieg is mesmerising. Recorded live at the Philharmonie, Berlin, December 31, 2011.
Antonín Dvořák: Slavonic Dance No. 1, Op. 46 in C Major; Edvard Grieg: Symphonic Dance No. 2, Op. 64; Piano Concerto A minor Op. 16; Maurice Ravel: Alborada del gracioso (orchestra version from “Miroirs”); Richard Strauss Salome (Salome’s dance); Igor Stravinsky: The Firebird (Danse infernale, Berceuse and Finale); Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 1 in G minor