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Symphony of Sorrowful Songs, Henryk Górecki
Saturday, 8 April 2017
Co-production with documenta 14 and Megaron-The Athens Concert Hall Organization.
Ticket information at 210 72 8
The “Symphony of Sorrowful Songs”, also known to the public as Henryk Górecki’s Symphony No. 3, with the Syrian soprano Racha Rizk as soloist and the collaboration of Musicians of the Syrian Expat Philharmonic Orchestra (SEPO) with the Athens State Orchestra, under the baton of Daniel Raiskin, one of the most prominent conductors of the new generation, marks the beginning of the musical events of documenta 14.
With this touching, symbolic concert that binds the Passion of Christ to the Human Tragedy, Megaron chose to inaugurate this year its most popular Cycle “Adagio”-Music for Easter, its well known, spiritual “journey” through the paths of classical and contemporary religious music (8-10/4). For the same- symbolic- reasons, Athens State Orchestra also chose this to be its established Easter concert.
Part of the concert proceeds will be given in favor of the Doctors Without Borders program for refugees, as well as in favor of the "Pink Box», Athens State Orchestra’s initiative, that is, to support the children of refugees hosted in our country.
This is actually a project by documenta 14 artists Ross Birrell and David Harding, based on the famous Third Symphony of Henryk Górecki. The Symphony of Sorrowful Songs is the Polish composer’s best known work. It’ s a poignant lament for orchestra and soprano in three movements, each focusing on the sense of hopelessness, separation, and loss, experienced by parents and children as a consequence of war.
The concert opens with Fugue by Ross Birrell and Ali Moraly, a tetrastich for violin solo, based on the poem Death Fugue by Paul Celan. Moraly will also be the soloist.
Documenta 14 is definitely the most respected exhibition of contemporary art which takes place every five years in Kassel, Germany, presenting all the new artistic tendencies to an international public. This year it takes place for the first time in Athens (8/4-16/7) apart from Kassel (10/6-17/9). Part of the performances in Athens is a number of concerts that will be held at the Megaron.
A free introductory talk for ticket holders will be held prior to the concert.
Tickets available electronically at the website of Megaron and at Megaron's box office.