José Serebrier Dvořák Xiogang Ye, London 12th June

Warner Classics is releasing the  complete set of Dvořák’s symphonies conducted by José Serebrier.. Individually, these performances are lively, perceptive readings, following on his highly acclaimed Glazunov series.  Read my review HERE of his exceptional Dvořák Symphony no 9 which really feels inspired "by the New World" and what it promises. A perfomance truly from the soul, with personal resonace from Serebrier, who came to the United States in his teens, mentored by Leopold Stokowski.  Read more about Serebrier's remarkable life HERE,

On Friday, 12th June, there's a chance to hear Serebrier conduct Dvořák 's Slavonic Dances live at the Cadogan Hall, London, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Also on the programme, Mussorgsky-Ravel Pictures  at an Exhibition, another Serebrier favourite. But what makes Serebrier concerts so special is that he includes new works, not necessarily the most shockingly avant garde, but works which interest him, and which he cares about. He'll conduct the UK premiere of The Last Paradise by Beijing composer Xiaogang Ye.

The Last Paradise recounts the sad fate of a protagonist – portrayed by the violin – culminating in his funeral and his eventual happiness upon the release of his spirit into the afterlife. Ye explained to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. "My family suffered extremely – nearly all kinds of humiliation – during my youth. It was during the Cultural Revolution, which was really a hard time. Life was a harsh struggle for survival. The villagers believed that death was an escape from a painful life and the start of a new journey. I also imagined that my life would end this way, and when I was released from all the pain of this world I would be carried toward heaven and eternal happiness."

The soloist will be Cho-Liang Lin, who gave the world premiere in 2013 in New York.