CSO Curator’s Series: Ravel, Morello, Mozart

Leonard Weiss – Conductor
Pablo Ruiz Henao – Bass Trombone

Ravel – Le tombeau de Couperin M.68
Nicola Morello – Bass Trombone Concerto No. 1 Op. 84
Mozart – Symphony No. 29 in A Major, K.201

A graceful tribute to friends lost in World War I, Ravel’s "Le Tombeau de Couperin" transforms remembrance into celebration of life. Originally for piano and later orchestrated, it weaves Baroque elegance with Ravel’s shimmering, impressionistic colours – delicate, dance-like, and deeply expressive. In Ravel’s words, it is “a memory of the past, but not a lament.”

CSO Principal Bass Trombone Pablo Ruiz Henao is centre stage in Nicola Morello’s "Bass Trombone Concerto No. 1", expertly bringing to life the concerto’s dynamic textures and bold rhythms. With a mix of lyrical passages and thrilling technical brilliance, this piece offers an unforgettable solo performance.

The concert closes with Mozart’s "Symphony No. 29", bursting with youthful energy and classical elegance. Composed when Mozart was just 18, this symphony sparkles with joyful melodies, crisp rhythms, and vibrant orchestral colours – a lively and uplifting finale that perfectly captures Mozart’s early genius.