Beethoven and Petrushka

With an extensive French, German and Russian menu, the Noord Nederlands Orkest presents the audience with a richly varied triptych. Rousel's Fourth Symphony is from his later period, when he had said farewell to the velvet impressionism of Debussy and had opened the door to lively rhythm, a battery of percussion and clear lines. With Stravinsky, the setting is the fairy-tale Russia of his youth: a fair full of potteries, a ballerina, a magician, love rivals, musicians, dancers, noisy drunks and, of course, the love-struck doll Petrushka. The music is light with tragic undertones: carnival dances, French street tunes and barrel organ music. Music like a magic lantern, no matter how sad the story ends for Petrushka. Fans of the more robust repertoire are also in for a treat. Although, despite its nickname "Emperor's Concerto," Beethoven's Fifth Piano Concerto also has traits of a sweet romance at times.