15 APRIL - 1 MAY 2018

Valletta

"Voltaire has famously said that “nothing is so well known as the Siege of Malta”. Indeed it is hard to think of another example that rivals it in terms of sheer heroism in overcoming overwhelming odds, and in term of it’s long term impact on the fate of the European Civilization. This cycle does not attempt to do justice to the horrors and glory of the The Great Siege but rather to present a few romanticized images related to it."

— Alexey Shor

Sergey Smbatyan Conductor

Armenian State Symphony Orchestra

Malta Philharmonic Orchestra

Mediterranean Conference Center will witness the performance of the cycle about the island’s heroic defence which two orchestras will play – the State Symphony orchestra of Armenia and the Malta Philharmonic orchestra under the baton of Sergei Smbatyan.

Its legendary images echo the impressive pages of another magnificent piece – Spartacus by Aram Khachatyrian – the Mediterranean sea, the powerful heroes and the fierce fighting – both masterpieces tell the story of the most outstanding drama-filled pages of world history.

Programme

Alexey Shor

Images from the Great Siege

I. Premonition
II. Call to Arms
III. Leaving Home
IV. Solitary Rider
V. Grand Master’s Ball
VI. Young Knight’s Dream
VII. Mirage
VIII. Cannonade
IX. Saint Elmo Barcarolle
X. A Loss (in memory of the Azure Window)
XI. Wartime Lullaby
XII. The Big Bluff
XIII. Victory Celebration

Aram Khachaturian

Pieces from “Spartacus” Suites

Introduction and Dance of the Nymphs
Scene and Dance with Crotalums
Variation of Aegina and Bacchanalia
Adagio Spartacus and Phrygia
Dance of Gaditanae and Victory of Spartacus