Il Grande Concerto

Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra
IL GRANDE CONCERTO
Monday 24 September 2018, Strovolos Municipal Theatre, 20:30

J. Brahms: Hungarian dance no. 4 in F sharp minor
S. Rachmaninov: Piano concerto no. 3 in D minor, op. 30
L. v. Beethoven: Symphony no. 5 in C minor, op. 67
Soloist: Manolis Neophytou (piano)
Artistic Director – Conductor: Yiorgos Kountouris

Bringing together youngsters with talent and enthusiasm for music, the Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra strives for the highest possible artistic level, making a valuable contribution to both music education and Cyprus cultural scene. The CyYSO opens the new artistic season with an exciting programme of romantic masterpieces by Brahms, Rachmaninov and Beethoven, titled “Il Grande Concerto”, under the direction of its Artistic Director and Conductor Yiorgos Kountouris.

The concert will begin with the bubbling spirit inherent in Johannes Brahms’ Hungarian dance no. 4.
The CyYSO will then present Sergei Rachmaninov’s magnificent Third piano concerto with the distinguished Cypriot pianist Manolis Neophytou as soloist. Rachmaninov’s Third is one of the most technically challenging piano concertos in the classical repertoire and one of the most enduringly
popular pieces of the Russian composer. The work oscillates between intensely lyrical and sweeping, quasi-improvisational parts where passionate emotions and extreme pianistic virtuosity unite. The concert will close with Ludwig van Beethoven’s monumental Fifth symphony. Shortly after its premiere, music critic E.T.A Hoffman described it as 'one of the most important works of the time'. Hofmann’s words are true even in our times, as Beethoven’s 5 th is considered a milestone in the history of the symphony and one of the most popular and frequently performed symphonies.

In a short interview given for the CySO Foundation, Cypriot pianist Manolis Neophytou spoke about his relationship with Rachmaninov’s music, and his 3 rd piano concerto in particular: “Ιt is true that I have a special relationship with the music of Sergei Rachmaninov and his piano concertos in romantic style, coupled with the characteristic traits of his harmonic language (for example, he uses a minor subdominant chord in a piece written in a major key). The fact that he was a pianist himself enables him to exploit this instrument’s fullest potential in his compositions. His piano concertos – at least his 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd , which he wrote while he was still in Russia, before he immigrated to America – are in fact cries of pain… His 3 rd piano concert is undoubtedly very challenging. The pianist needs to have a perfect command of all aspects of advanced piano technique, whilst at the same time huge stamina and physical strength are required. The sheer length of the musical score together with the extreme technical demands and the prominent use of polyphony, make this concerto even more difficult to interpret.

Sponsor: OPAP Cyprus
Ticket prices: €12, €7 (18-26 yrs, pensioners), €5 (under 18)
Ticket presales:
- Online at www.cyso.org.cy
- Pallas Theatre Box Office (Regenis and Arsinoes corner, Nicosia 1010, 22 410181), Wed 16:00-19:00
- Strovolos Municipal Theare Box Office, 2 hrs before the concert
Information: 22 463144, www.cyso.org.cy