The archaic, simple and reliable ingredients of Arvo Pärt's symphony bring to mind early church hymns. The mood changes completely with Béla Bartók's The Miraculous Mandarin, which leaves no one indifferent: the premiere was a scandal and the audience rioted. Celebrating Bernhard Crusell's 250th anniversary, the evening's soloist will be Osmo Linkola from the orchestra’s own ranks.
The ballet pantomime The Miraculous Mandarin is based on a story of that name by Menyhért Lengyel of 1917. The libretto was presumably intended for the Ballets Russes of the great impresario Serge Diaghilev or a new opera by Ernö Dohnányi, but Béla Bartók (1881–1945) got in first. His piano version dates from 1919 and an orchestral one followed five years later.
Audiences at the premiere in 1926 were shocked to the core by this sexually-provocative tale of prostitution, violence and murder in which life is worth nothing. A seductive woman (a solo clarinet) in a pimp’s window catches the eye of an old man (trombone glissandos) out for an evening stroll. It is a trap to rob him of his life and money, but he turns out to be penniless and the thugs throw him out. The same happens to a young man. The next ‘catch’ is a wealthy Chinese mandarin, who leads the woman in a seductive waltz. But despite then being assaulted, stabbed, throttled and hanged, he refuses to die. Instead, his body begins to glow with a greenish-blue light (a vocalise). Not until his lust has been satisfied is he dealt the final deathblow.
Though the ballet is seldom performed, the music is a regular concert-hall number.
Yes, but only before or after the concert. During the concert we just want you to enjoy the music. This way you won’t disturb the musicians or other audience members.
Only the orchestra has a dress code. You can dress as you like.
You can give the ticket to a friend or donate it to a music student by calling 09-3102 2700 or sending an e-mail to helsinki.philharmonic@hel.fi by 3pm on the day of the concert.
