The Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich and Paavo Järvi got the new season off to a brilliant start.
In 1895, Johannes Brahms opened the Tonhalle Zurich as guest conductor of his "Triumphlied". And 129 years later, another work by Brahms was on our opening programme - his Piano Concerto No. 1, performed by our focus artist Víkingur Ólafsson. The Icelandic pianist also delighted the audience with a heartfelt encore of Bach's Prelude in B flat minor.
The interval was followed by a performance of "Archora", a work by Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir, which elicited scenic sounds from the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich. Music Director Paavo Järvi brought the concert to a powerful close with Stravinsky's "L'oiseau de feu": the audience clapped standing up.
