Grieg and Sibelius: Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Michael Sanderling, Kenny Broberg
On May 31, June 1, 2024, Hilbert Circle Theatre in Indianapolis, IN, hosted a beautiful musical event “Grieg and Sibelius”, which was warmly welcomed by the audience.
Classical music lovers enjoyed their favorite works of the famous classics performed by Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra under the artistic leadership of conductor Michael Sanderling.
The piano part was performed by Kenny Broberg, the winner of the 2021 American Pianists Awards and Christel DeHaan Classical Fellowship. Kenny Broberg returned to the stage that made him a superstar, performing Grieg’s cherished Piano Concerto in A Minor.
German conductor Michael Sanderling made his long-awaited Indianapolis debut in program that includes Sibelius’ “confession of [his] soul,” his Symphony No. 2.
This Scandinavian program rounded with Swedish composer Helena Munktell’s Breaking Waves.
Kenny Broberg during his auspicious career, before winning the 2021 American Pianist Awards and Christel DeHaan Classical Fellowship, captured the silver medal at the 2017 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and a bronze medal at the 2019 International Tchaikovsky Competition as well as prizes at the Hastings, Sydney, Seattle and New Orleans International Piano Competitions, becoming one of the most decorated and internationally renowned pianists of his generation. Broberg is lauded for his inventive, intelligent and intense performances. “Broberg mastered everything he performed over the weekend, pulling a palette of moods from every register,” The Indianapolis Star wrote of Broberg’s performance during the Finals for American Pianists Awards.
Performing on stages and in concert halls across Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America, Broberg has worked with some of the world’s most respected conductors, including Ludovic Morlot, Kent Nagano, Leonard Slatkin and others.
He released Sonatas by Medtner, Rachmaninov and Scriabin on the Steinway & Sons label in 2023.
Michael Sanderling has been chief conductor of the Luzerner Sinfonieorchester since 2021.
Under Michael Sanderling’s direction, the Luzerner Sinfonieorchester has toured Asia, South America and Germany. Their performance of Shostakovich’s 10th symphony at the Wiener Konzerthaus, accompanied by William Kentridge’s animated film ‘Oh to Believe in Another World’, attracted particular attention.
As a guest conductor, Michael Sanderling directs leading orchestras around the world. These include the Berlin Philharmonic, the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Orchestre de Paris, the Philharmonia Orchestra in London, the NHK Symphony Orchestra, the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, the Wiener Symphoniker, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
Since the start of his tenure as chief conductor, several highly-acclaimed CDs have been released. These include a Brahms cycle released in 2023 by Warner Classics, with the four symphonies as well as his ‘fifth’ – a piano quartet orchestrated by Arnold Schoenberg – and a recording of the Schumann and Grieg piano concertos with Elisabeth Leonskaja.
In addition to the recordings mentioned above, Michael Sanderling’s extensive discography includes recordings of major works by Dvořák, Schumann, Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky, as well as works for cello and orchestra by Bloch, Korngold, Bruch and Ravel with Edgar Moreau and the Luzerner Sinfonieorchester.
Michael Sanderling is a passionate supporter of young musicians. He teaches at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts, and also works regularly with the Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra.
By Gilbert Castro | ENC News
