Playing with rococo elements versus Nordic depth: when the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia and its principal conductor Sir Antonio Pappano accept the invitation to the Great Hall of the Alte Oper Frankfurt, different worlds of sound meet. For while Jean Sibelius' Fifth Symphony ends in a melancholy farewell mood, Sergei Prokofiev's first symphony, the "Symphonie Classique", composed almost at the same time, strikes light-hearted, humorous notes and goes in the footsteps of the forefathers. And Maurice Ravel's G major Piano Concerto also relies on classical elements, which are skillfully and lightheartedly combined with jazz particles and harmonies of the time. Ravel spoke of a "concerto in the most exact, literal sense of those of Mozart and Saint-Saëns" - and summed up, "I am indeed of the opinion that the music of a concerto can be joyful and brilliant, and that it is not necessary to strive for depth and dramatic effect." Pianist Seong-Jin Cho has been familiar with Ravel's cheerful genre contribution for many years. He has performed the G Major Piano Concerto with several renowned orchestras. Among the major international orchestras with which the Korean pianist has already collaborated is the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. He has performed with the orchestra in his home country, among other places, where he is celebrated like a pop star.
