Recognized as one of the most remarkable piano prodigies of her generation, Lise de la Salle has built an international career spanning more than two decades, marked by appearances with leading orchestras and at the world’s most prestigious concert halls.
On May 29 at Ho Guom Opera, The Sun Symphony Orchestra joins forces with the French pianist for the first time in Shades of Paris — a thoughtfully curated musical journey through three defining voices of French music: Hector Berlioz, Maurice Ravel, and César Franck.
Under the baton of Music Director Olivier Ochanine, the program is conceived not merely as a concert, but as a cohesive artistic narrative — where each work unfolds as a chapter in a broader story, moving from theatrical brilliance to refined elegance and profound introspection.
The evening opens with Roman Carnival Overture by Hector Berlioz, one of the composer’s most vibrant and coloristic orchestral works. With his signature flair for orchestration, Berlioz captures the exuberance of a Roman festival through striking contrasts — from dazzling, energetic passages to lyrical, expressive lines — culminating in a thrilling and explosive conclusion.
This is followed by Piano Concerto in G major by Maurice Ravel, performed by Lise de la Salle. Composed between 1929 and 1931, the concerto exemplifies Ravel’s unique synthesis of classical French elegance and modern influences, most notably jazz.
In this work, the piano does not simply dominate as a solo voice; instead, it engages in an ongoing dialogue with the orchestra, creating a dynamic and highly interactive musical texture. Such writing demands not only virtuosity but also deep musical sensitivity — qualities that define Lise de la Salle’s artistry. Critics have noted that in her performances, “the audience almost forgets to breathe,” a testament to her commanding presence and expressive depth.
The program concludes with Symphony in D minor by César Franck, a cornerstone of late 19th-century French symphonic repertoire. Built upon Franck’s distinctive cyclical form, thematic ideas recur and evolve across movements, binding the symphony into a unified and continuous emotional arc.
Through these three works, Shades of Paris offers more than a selection of masterpieces — it articulates three distinct yet interconnected facets of French music: Berlioz’s dramatic vitality, Ravel’s refined modernity, and Franck’s introspective depth.
The collaboration between The Sun Symphony Orchestra, Music Director Olivier Ochanine, and Lise de la Salle promises to be a defining artistic highlight of the season — where technical brilliance, musical intelligence, and narrative cohesion converge into a compelling and immersive concert experience.
