Elgar’s Cryptic Enigma Variations 2024-2025
Admired for the exhilirating intensity of her playing, Karen Gomyo performs Dvorák’s Violin Concerto. Elgar’s Enigma Variations complete this program conducted by John Storgårds.
Admired for the vibrant intensity of her playing, Karen Gomyo will perform Dvorák’s Violin Concerto, a powerful work that draws from the sources of Bohemian dances. Two unsolved enigmas remain in Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations: first, the composer never revealed the origin of the work’s main theme. Second, the title of each variation gives only the initials of the friend or family member whose personality is being depicted, in many instances by imitating the style of a German composer.
Artists
Orchestre symphonique de Montréal
John Storgårds, conductor
Karen Gomyo, violin
Programme
Felix Mendelssohn, A Midsummer Night’s Dream*, Overture, op. 21 (12 min.)
Antonín Dvořák, Violin Concerto in A minor, op. 53 (32 min.)
Intermission (20 min)*
Frederick Delius, A Village Romeo and Juliet: ‘‘The Walk to the Paradise Garden’’ (8 min.)
Edward Elgar, Enigma Variations, op. 36 (29 min.)
* October 9 concert only.
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John Storgårds
Chef d'orchestreChief Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra as well as Principal Guest Conductor of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Artistic Director of the Lapland Chamber Orchestra and Chief Conductor of the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra beginning in the 2024–2025 season, John Storgårds leads a dual career as a conductor and violin virtuoso and is widely recognized for his creative flair for artistic programming. Internationally, Mr. Storgårds appears with such orchestras as the Leipzig Gewandhaus, Munich and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras, Dresden Staatskapelle, WDR Symphony Orchestra in Cologne, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Vienna Radio Symphony and London Philharmonic, as well as the Helsinki Philharmonic where he served as Chief Conductor from 2008 to 2015. John Storgårds’ award-winning discography includes cycles of the complete symphonies of Sibelius and Nielsen with the BBC Philharmonic, released by Chandos to critical acclaim.
Karen Gomyo
ViolinKaren Gomyo possesses a rare ability to captivate and connect intimately with audiences through her deeply emotional and heartfelt performances. With a flawless command of the instrument and elegance of expression, she has become one of today’s leading violinists. Highlights of recent seasons include performances with the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, New York Philharmonic, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Karen is committed to contemporary music, and recently world-premiered Samy Moussa’s Violin Concerto ‘‘Adrano’’ with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Samuel Adams’ Chamber Concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Xi Wang’s Concerto for Trumpet, Violin and Orchestra with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. A champion of the music of Astor Piazzolla, in 2021 Karen Gomyo released A Piazzolla Triology on BIS Records.
