Montreal Symphony Orchestra (Orchestre symphonique de Montréal)

Soloists:  
Nikolai Lugansky piano
Olivier Latry organ

Programme:
Béla Bartók, The Miraculous Mandarin, suite, Op. 19, BB 82
Camille Saint-Saëns, Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78, “Organ”
*
Johannes Brahms, Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 83

 
The impressive Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is the world’s only orchestra to have in its ranks the rare octobass (the largest and lowest-sounding instrument of the string family). The orchestra’s home is Maison symphonique de Montréal, a concert hall noted for its acoustic flexibility whose setting has been adapted to suit the orchestra's natural sound. Since 2006 the orchestra has been dazzling international audiences under the baton of its music director, Kent Nagano, a conductor of great precision and elegance.

The evening’s soloists are Nikolai Lugansky, an Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation (2019) and a pianist who combines elegance and grace with powerful virtuosity, as well as Olivier Latry, “2009 International Performer of the Year” (American Guild of Organists, New York), an artist counted among the most noted “improvisateurs” in the exceptional French tradition and devoted to exploring the broadest spectrum of organ repertoire.

The evening’s programme reflects the curiosity and breadth Kent Nagano is known for: bringing to life lesser-known and neglected works and re-evaluating the core repertoire of classical orchestral music.