On June 19, the new piano concerto Beltane – helles Feuer (bright fire) by Johanna Doderer will be premiered in Vienna with soloist Philipp Scheucher and Wiener Concert-Verein under the baton of Glass Marcano. The highly virtuosic work for solo piano and strings was a result of Doderer’s collaboration with the pianist.
The concerto is divided into three movements to be played attacca. In the first movement, “Helles Feuer” (bright fire ), a theme is introduced that develops and transforms through pulsating soundscapes, whereas in the second movement, “Tau” (dew), the pianist plays the same chords throughout, resembling dewdrops falling form the piano. The final movement, “Beltane”, is strongly rhythmic and builds a tapestry of sound characterised by complex patterns.
The composer explains: “Beltane – the Celtic festival of abundance, sensuality and joy of life – develops within it into a musical hurricane.”
