May 09, May 10, May 11 2024
National Symphony Orchestra Washington
Dessner, Liszt, Berlioz
Anja Bihlmaier, conductor*
Benjamin Grosvenor, piano
Bryce Dessner: Mari** (NSO CO-COMMISSION)
Franz Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1
Hector Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique
Strap in for the psychedelic rollercoaster of Symphonie fantastique, Berlioz’s epic fever dream of obsession, ecstasy, tantrums, and wild ambition. Conductor Anja Bihlmaier brings to life this escapist (and arguably autobiographical) tale of an artist’s self-destructive passion for a beautiful woman.
The NSO gets things buzzing with Bryce Dessner’s Mari, named for the Basque forest goddess, and Liszt’s scintillating Piano Concerto No. 1 performed by the “one in a million giant of solo piano” Benjamin Grosvenor (The Independent).
* NSO subscription debut
** First performance by the NSO