Italian pianist Beatrice Rana may be young (28!), but she’s already established herself touring the world and recording an amazing album catalog, including awesome attacks on The Goldberg Variations and Chopin. She also recorded the quintessential Russian piano concerto, Tchaikovsky’s Number One. Now, The LA Phil’s amazing Principal Guest Conductor, Susanna Mälkki — who has also made some terrific albums in the past few years, will conduct the LA Phil and Rana beginning tomorrow and running through Sunday at Disney Hall. Mälkki, whom I called “the thrilling, innovative, and compelling”, is quite skilled at presenting new music in the clearest possible light. In this program, she gives the U.S. premiere of Finnish composer Kaija Anneli Saariaho’s Vista, which received its world premiere in Helsinki, Finland with Mälkki, who described it “as a piece that reveals new horizons. The ever-unfolding world of Kaija Saariaho’s soundscape is rich and broad, and the orchestral palette is novel.” A truly international piece, Vista was co-commissioned by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Oslo Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association. Its title page has the inscription For Susanna – presumably a dedication to the night’s conductor, Susanna Mälkki. Ben Hogwood called it a “a major achievement.” On Saturday and Sunday only, Mälkki also illuminates the kaleidoscopic colors of Alexander Scriabin’s sensual and spiritual The Poem of Ecstasy. (Friday is intermissionless with the Tchaikovsky and Saariaho only.)
Tchaikovsky and Saariaho with Mälkki
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Susanna Mälkki, conductor
Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave.
plays October 29-31, 2021
for tickets, call 323.850.2000 or visit LA Phil