Yan Pascal Tortelier Leads the BSO and Pianist Orion Weiss in Grieg's Piano Concerto, March 24-26

Program also includes Ravel's Valses nobles et sentimentales and Lutoslawski's Concerto for Orchestra

Baltimore, Md. (March 16, 2011) - Pianist Orion Weiss joins forces with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO), under the direction of Yan Pascal Tortelier, to perform Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto on Thursday, March 24 at 8 p.m. and Friday, March 25 at 8 p.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and Saturday, March 26 at 8 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore. Also on the program are Ravel's colorful Valses nobles et sentimentales and
Lutoslawski's vibrant Concerto for Orchestra. Please see below for complete program details.

In 1999, when American pianist Orion Weiss was just 17 years old, he filled in for legendary pianist André Watts, who had to cancel an upcoming performance with the BSO of Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 2. This debut launched Mr. Weiss' international performing career. Recently, he was named the 2010 Young Artist of the Year by the Classical Recording Foundation. This year, he will release a recital album of Dvorák, Prokofiev and Bartók.

When the young and impressionable Grieg first heard Robert Schumann's Piano Concerto in 1858 performed by the composer's wife, Clara Schumann, he was enthralled by the work. Grieg's own piano concerto was partly inspired by Schuman's concerto and from his remarkable genius in combining Western music practices with his Norwegian folk traditions. The work has become a staple for pianists since its premiere in 1869 due to its perfect balance of lyricism and virtuosity.

Like the paintings of Monet, Ravel's compositions veer into the dream world through his unique use of instrumentation, non-traditional harmonies and melodies. His Valses nobles et sentimentales ("Noble and sentimental waltzes") were originally conceived as a suite for solo piano but Ravel later arranged the work for orchestra, claiming he wanted to see "clearer" orchestral sounds.

Lutoslawski's epic and large scale work, the Concerto for Orchestra was premiered in 1954 by the Warsaw Philharmonic. The work was to provide Lutoslawski with international fame in the West. However, soon after the work's premiere, he changed his compositional style completely and distanced himself from the work. The Concerto for Orchestra represents Lutoslawski's final crowning achievement in his early style: folk music fused with Western Classical tradition.

Yan Pascal Tortelier, conductor
Born into a musical family, son of the late Paul Tortelier, Yan Pascal Tortelier studied piano and violin from the age of 4 and at 14 won first prize for violin at the Paris Conservatory. Following general musical studies with Nadia Boulanger, Mr. Tortelier studied conducting with Franco Ferrara in Siena. His career has included engagements with leading orchestras throughout Europe, North America, Japan and Australia. In recognition of his outstanding work as Chief Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic between 1992 and 2003, Mr.Tortelier has been given the title of Conductor Laureate and continues to work with the orchestra regularly.

Orion Weiss, piano
Pianist Orion Weiss is one of the most sought-after soloists and collaborators in his generation. At age 29, he continues to demonstrate his gift for communication across boundaries of style and setting. Mr. Weiss' list of awards includes The Juilliard William Petschek Award, the Gilmore Young Artist Award, an Avery Fisher Career Grant, the Gina Bachauer Scholarship at The Juilliard School and the Mieczyslaw Munz Scholarship. In March 1999, with less than 24 hours' notice, Mr. Weiss stepped in to replace André Watts for a performance of Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. He was immediately invited to return to the Orchestra for a performance of the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto in October 1999. In 2004, he graduated from The Juilliard School, where he studied with Emanuel Ax.

COMPLETE PROGRAM INFORMATION
BSO Classical Concert: Grieg's Piano Concerto
Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. - Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Friday, March 25, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. - Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. - The Music Center at Strathmore

Yan Pascal Tortelier, conductor
Orion Weiss, piano

Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales
Grieg: Piano Concerto
Lutoslawski: Concerto for Orchestra

Tickets range from $28 to $88. Tickets are available through the BSO Ticket Office, 877.BSO.1444, 410.783.8000 or BSOmusic.org.