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Performed in a different European city each year, the incomparable Berlin Philharmonic's annual Europakonzert commemorates the orchestra's 1882 founding while celebrating the cultural life of the European community. From the elegant Teatro Massimo opera house in Palermo, Sicily, the 2002 concert features sensational violinist Gil Shaham joining conductor Claudio Abbado in a performance of Johannes Brahms' "Violin Concerto, Op. 77." Also featured on the program is one of the most beloved works in the symphonic repertoire, Antonín Dvorák's "Symphony No. 9, From the New World," as well as the dramatic overture to Giuseppe Verdi's "Sicilian Vespers." And, leaving the opera house on an intermission stroll, GREAT PERFORMANCES offers viewers a tour of Palermo, showcasing the glorious architecture, lively markets, and musical heritage that have made it one of Italy's most vibrant cities.
Maestro Abbado led the Berlin Philharmonic as they inaugurated the Europakonzert series at Prague's Smetana Hall in 1991, so it seems fitting that he has chosen this Europakonzert, in his native Italy, for his last televised concert as the principal conductor and artistic director of the orchestra. Learn more about Claudio Abbado, who made his conducting debut at Milan's La Scala in 1960; the Berlin Philharmonic; violinist Gil Shaham; and the music from the evening's program in the essay by writer Fred Plotkin. In Dialogue, read an interview with Gil Shaham, who discusses the Brahms violin concerto as well as collaborating with the incomparable musicians of the Berlin Philharmonic on the piece. Then peruse our guide to the violin in the Multimedia Presentation. Finally, get the complete list of works performed in the concert through the song list.
Special funding for this program was provided by Daimler-Chrysler and the Irene Diamond Fund. The DVD of the concert is available from Amazon.com.
Top banner photos: Palermo's San Cataldo church and featured soloist Gil Shaham. |
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From 1989 to 2002, Claudio Abbado served as principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic. |
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The venerable orchestra began with a little more than 50 musicians in 1882. |
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