Harrison Birtwistle often seeks inspiration in monumental themes such as Greek drama, primaeval rituals and ancient myths. Slow Frieze for piano and ensemble is perfectly in keeping with this particular realm of the imagination. The ‘frieze’ of the title – a decorative upper edge of a classical pillar – is depicted by the woodwinds. These are given free choice from a profusion of melodic phrases, thus decorating a sturdy pillar of sound created by brass, strings and robust piano-playing. Look out for the soloist of the evening, Pierre-Laurent Aimard: in Antara by George Benjamin, a tribute to the characteristic timbre of South American flute instruments, he exchanges the trusted grand piano for the synthesiser. 
The young Australian Kate Moore, who studied the art of composing with Louis Andriessen and Martijn Padding, adds lustre to the evening with a world première.
The composotion Days and Nature by Kate Moore is supported by the Performing Arts Fund NL 

Dit concert maakt deel uit van de multidisciplinaire programmareeks Actueel, Avontuurlijk, Aangrijpend, met het thema “Layers”. Een samenwerkingsinitiatief van het Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest, zie www.concertgebouworkest.nl/AAA

Live broadcast by Radio 4 (KRO).

Artists

CHARLES IVES 
From the Steeples and the Mountains 
GEORGE ANTHEIL 
Symphony for five instruments
GEORGE BENJAMIN 
Antara 
KATE MOORE 
Days and Nature (world première) 
HARRISON BIRTWISTLE 
Slow Frieze 

ASKO|SCHÖNBERG
conductor
Etienne Siebens
piano
Pierre-Laurent Aimard