The Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra will present an evening of French music featuring Swiss pianist Louis Schwizgebel as guest soloist, in the Main Hall of Thailand Cultural Centre, Ratchadaphisek Road, on May 25 at 7.30pm.
Held in honour of HRH Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana, the "Louis Schwizgebel Plays Saint-Saens' Piano Concerto" concert will see the return of British maestro Douglas Bostock, who will open the programme with Hector Berlioz's dazzling overture Le Carnaval Romain (The Roman Carnival), an all-time concert hall favourite.
The second half of the programme is dedicated to two contrasting compositions. In his scintillating Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales (Noble And Sentimental Waltzes), Maurice Ravel pays homage to the waltz as a dance form, bathed in subtle Impressionistic instrumental colours.
The evening will conclude with Suite No.2 From L'Arlésienne (The Girl From Arles) by Georges Bizet, with many famous and beloved tunes which will linger in the memory long after the show.
The central spot of the concert is devoted to Camille Saint-Saëns' Piano Concerto No.2 performed by Schwizgebel, marking his debut with the orchestra.
Louis Schwizgebel. photo: Caroline Doutre
After studying in Lausanne, Berlin and London, the young pianist embarked on an international career, winning several prestigious prizes. He performs regularly with major orchestras and, as a chamber music partner and recitalist, plays with leading musicians at major concert venues and festivals.
His recording of Saint-Saëns' Piano Concertos Nos.2 And 5 with the BBC Symphony Orchestra have won high acclaim and are described in the BBC Music Magazine as "gorgeously singing and wonderfully delicate".
Tickets cost 600, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000 and 2,500 baht (half price for students and seniors aged 60 and above) and can be purchased from Thai Ticket Major outlets (visit thaiticketmajor.com or call 02-262-3456).
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