The concert given by the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France at the Musikfest Berlin brings together three major issues which have preoccupied human beings since time immemorial: travelling, the force of nature and the fascination for technical progress. In Luciano Berio’s “Voci” for viola and two instrumental groups, the composer pursued his great passion for folk music from across the world – this work is a declaration of love for Sicilian culture. The Lithuanian conductor Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla attaches great importance to familiarising audiences with the Late Romantic music of one of the major composers from her native country: Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis has created a vivid extravaganza on the many facets of the sea in his composition “Jūra”. Throughout his life, Ravel, whose 150th anniversary of his birth is being celebrated this year, was fascinated by technological progress. The rhythm of his “Boléro” remaining constant over 340 bars evolves into an enigmatic, irresistible maelstrom rushing towards a powerful climax.

Luciano Berio (1925 – 2003)
Voci (Folk Songs II) (1984)
for viola and two instrumental groups

Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875 – 1911)
Jūra (Das Meer) (1903–07)
symphonic poetry

Maurice Ravel (1875 – 1937)
Boléro (1928)

Antoine Tamestit – viola

Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France
Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla – conductor