Josep Caballé-Domenech’s Showcase Performance
Music protégé Josep Caballé-Domenech conducted the world-renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Cadogan Hall in London on Sunday, 7 May 2006. The event represented the young Spanish conductor’s Rolex-sponsored showcase performance, following his year as a protégé of Sir Colin Davis in the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative (2002-2003). The event also coincided with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s 60th anniversary season.
The evening’s programme consisted of three works:
The Hebrides Overture (Fingal’s Cave) by Mendelssohn
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Rachmaninov
Symphony No.3 by Brahms
The performance was challenging, most particularly Rachmaninov’s Paganini. The piece hinges on tension created between the orchestra and a solo pianist in order to explore conflicting ideals of love and evil. Despite having only a single day to rehearse with soloist Peter Jablonski, Josep was able to evoke a masterful performance, clearly illustrating his skills as a conductor and his high artistic standards.
Among those attending the performance were Rolex Arts Initiative Advisory Board members, including renowned conductor Sir Neville Marriner, author and philanthropist Lady Solti, visual artist Anish Kapoor; as well as Graham Sheffield, artistic director of the Barbican, who served as a nominator in the Rolex programme.