Ott x Ravel - Belgian National Orchestra & Alice Sara Ott, piano conducted by Matthew Halls

Strauss, Ravel, and Sibelius open the windows of a hot approaching summer evening. What blows in is pure passion and irresistible couleur locale. Richard Strauss sets the tone with his symphonic poem Don Juan: brutal, reckless, and irresistible. The orchestra plunges into an adventure of energy and desire with a flair that immediately stimulates all senses. Then Maurice Ravel takes over the fiery torch with his Piano Concerto in G. No detours, but music that immediately grabs you by the throat: a sultry mixture of sensual jazz, blue blues, and Parisian elegance. Internationally celebrated pianist Alice Sara Ott (see also her notable passage in CCHA with Ólafur Arnalds in 2025!) makes the piano vibrate and sing. Her playing is sharp and playful in the corner parts, tender and moving in the dreamy middle part where time seems to stand still for a moment and Ravel's swinging elegance comes to full bloom. And then the Boléro. Ravel reduces music from repetitive mechanics to an unprecedented climax: one rhythm, one melody, repeated ever more intensely. What begins as control and distance grows into something physical, obsessive, and inescapable. Dirigent Matthew Halls masterfully leads this dance that does not let go. The sun sets, the warmth remains. program Richard Strauss Don Juan Maurice Ravel Pianoconcerto in G major & Boléro Jean Sibelius En saga conductor Matthew Halls / piano Alice Sara Ott / introduction Stijn Paredis / © Jonatan Gretarsson & Benjamin Ealovega alicesaraott.com & nationalorchestra.be