Noord Nederlands Orkest
Ravel & Dukas – Meesterschap en Magie
Ravel & Dukas – Mastery and Magic
An extraordinary evening full of color, character, and sound. In 2025, we celebrate the 150th anniversary of French composer Maurice Ravel. His music transports you to other worlds — think soft pastels, sultry melodies, and influences from jazz, gypsy music, and traditional Chinese sounds. One of the highlights of the evening is Ravel’s famous Piano Concerto in G, performed by soloist Lise de la Salle. A vibrant piece where both piano and orchestra dazzle.
What makes this concert extra special is the brand-new concert grand piano Lise de la Salle will play. Thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign by the Noord Nederlands Orkest and SPOT Groningen, a Steinway D has been acquired — the gold standard of concert pianos worldwide. It’s a dream instrument, perfectly suited to music of this caliber.
In addition to Ravel, you’ll hear music by Paul Dukas. The program opens with his best-known work, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, made famous by Disney’s Fantasia. Even without the visuals, it’s a musical adventure full of playful, suspenseful energy — a perfect fit for an evening steeped in magic.
Francis Poulenc brings a touch of lightness with Les Biches, a suite from a ballet about carefree young men and women in a Parisian salon. The music is charming, witty, and unmistakably French.
The evening’s grand finale is Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé: Suite No. 2, based on an ancient Greek love story. It’s almost cinematic in sound, with sweeping orchestration and simmering tension.
The Noord Nederlands Orkest will be led by conductor Eivind Gullberg Jensen, whose clear direction and eye for detail breathe life into this rich repertoire.
An evening for lovers of French music, vivid soundscapes, and musical storytelling — a celebration worthy of Ravel’s legacy.
Website: nno.nu/