“What is the secret of nature? Perhaps only the wind and the birds know.” This Zen-like reflection inspired Tan Dun’s Passacaglia: Secret of Wind and Birds, composed in 2015. Incorporating birdsong, ancient Chinese instruments, and unexpected sonic elements, the work creates a unique dialogue between nature and the orchestra.
It is followed by one of Aram Khachaturian’s most frequently performed masterpieces, the Violin Concerto in D minor. In the hands of soloist Mariam Abouzahra, the concerto’s rich melodies and vibrant rhythms reveal the enduring influence of Armenian folk music.
After the cinematic atmosphere of Suite No. 2 from Khachaturian’s ballet Spartacus, the programme turns to the music of his lesser-known contemporary, the Georgian composer Giya Kancheli. His Symphony No. 3 reflects a distinctive musical voice that invites comparison not only with Dmitri Shostakovich, but also with Igor Stravinsky.
The concert is conducted by the young Georgian maestro Mirian Khukhunaishvili, whom the MÁV Symphony Orchestra first came to know through his work as assistant to Christoph Eschenbach.
SOLOIST
Mariam Abouzahra – violin
CONDUCTOR
Mirian Khukhunaishvili
Tan Dun: Passacaglia: Secret of Wind and Birds
Aram Khachaturian: Violin Concerto in D minor
Aram Khachaturian: Spartacus – Suite No. 2
Giya Kancheli: Symphony No. 3
