Romantic sensations in G major

Conducted by Charles Olivieri-Munroe, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra (SZSO) will perform this Friday evening Tchaikovsky’s “Piano Concerto No. 2, Op.44” and Dvořák’s “Symphony No. 8, Op. 88,” both written in G major. Chinese-born Canadian pianist Cai Sheng will be the soloist.

Charles Olivieri-Munroe

Less performed than his “Piano Concerto No. 1,” Tchaikovsky’s second piano concerto is more challenging for both the soloist and the orchestra, particularly in the second movement. It starts with a violin solo, followed by solos for cello and then piano — a typical triple concerto. This will be Cai’s first collaboration with the SZSO, which is enthusiastically anticipated by fans.

Just as his 7th and 9th symphony, Dvořák’s No. 8 is without doubt one of the composer’s major achievements. Cheery and lyrical and inspired by the Bohemian folk music that Dvořák loved, all four movements show a remarkable variety of themes, with occasional development resembling improvisations.

Olivieri-Munroe is one of today’s most sought-after conductors. First-prizewinner at the 2000 Prague Spring International Music Festival Conducting Competition, Olivieri-Munroe has conducted many of the world’s major orchestras, including the Israel Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony, Sydney Symphony, and the Berlin DSO Orchestra. He is a recognized specialist in the works of Dvořák and Smetana, as well as the wider Slavic repertoire.

Cai, who graduated from the New England Conservatory in Boston, won many competitions, including the Montreal Symphony Orchestra Competition (Concours OSM), Toronto Symphony Piano Competition, and was the youngest finalist and special prize winner at the Bösendorfer and Yamaha International Piano Competition in the U.S. Since his debut with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at 15, Cai has performed a diversified concerto repertoire with dozens of orchestras worldwide as a guest soloist. He also gives solo concerts and has released albums on Centaur and Atma Classique.

Time: 8 p.m., June 9

Tickets: 50-480 yuan

Booking: WeChat account “深圳大剧院票务在线”

Venue: Shenzhen Grand Theater, Luohu District (深圳大剧院)

Metro: Line 1 or 2 to Grand Theater Station (大剧院站), Exit C