MIAF 2026 - Stravinsky, Bartok, Schnittke - Malta Philharmonic Orchestra
Schedule
Sat, 20 Jun, 2026 at 08:00 pm
UTC+02:00Location
Teatru Manoel | Valletta, MA
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The Malta International Arts Festival presents the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra with an exciting programme for string orchestra. This concert features Michael Laus behind the baton and the piano keyboard for Alfred Schnittke’s Concerto for Piano and String Orchestra (1979). In this concerto Schnittke contrasts driving virtuosity with evocative episodes of lyricism and dissonance. Unfolding as a single-movement, this concerto is a journey through a kaleidoscope of musical styles and emotional states. The programme includes two 20th century masterworks for the string orchestra: Concerto in D (1946) by Igor Stravinsky and Divertimento for Strings (1939) by Béla Bartók. Both works were commissioned by Paul Sacher for the Basler Kammerorchester . Bartók’s Divertimento displays the rhythmic vitality of Eastern European folk music, mixing exuberant dance-like passages with expressive contrasts. Stravinsky’s Concerto in D highlights the composer’s crisp neoclassical style with sharply etched rhythms and inventive string writing. Structured in three movements, the piece alternates energetic drive with poignant lyricism, making full use of contrasts and timbral colour within the string ensemble. The programme also includes Orawa (1986) by Wojciech Kilar and Emboldening (2024) by Albert Garzia.More information: https://www.festivals.mt/events1/stravinsky%2C-bartok%2C-schnittke-malta-philharmonic-orchestra%2C-mpo
The Malta International Arts Festival is organised by Festivals Malta, sponsored by Schweppes, and is supported by the Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government
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Where is it happening?
Teatru Manoel, 73 Triq Iz-Zekka, Valletta, VLT, MaltaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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