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Portrait of the artist

Music for Outer Space at L’Auditori

Gemma New conducts the OBC, the Orfeó Català Girls’ Choir, and pianist Leif Ove Andsnes at L’Auditori.

The vast space that opens above our heads inspired British composer Gustav Holst to create The Planets, a composition first performed in 1913. It returns to the stage in a concert program that also includes works by Haydn and Franck, conducted by New Zealander Gemma New (pictured. Photo: Roy Cox). The performances take place on May 30 and 31.

The conductor—who, incidentally, has studied both music and physics/mathematics—will lead the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra and National Orchestra of Catalonia (OBC), joined by the Orfeó Català Girls’ Choir and pianist Leif Ove Andsnes, a Norwegian especially acclaimed for his interpretations of works by fellow countryman Edvard Grieg.

The program features Haydn’s Piano Concerto No. 11 in D major, Hob. XVIII:11 (1782), the most popular of his concertos for this instrument. It does not require a large orchestral accompaniment but stands out as a communicative and expressive piece.

Also included are the Symphonic Variations (1885) by César Franck—a roughly fifteen-minute work showcasing a rich and colorful dialogue between piano and orchestra. The highlight of the concert, however, is Holst’s The Planets, composed between 1914 and 1916, and born from the composer’s fascination with astrology.

Each planet is represented by music that reflects its astrological symbolism—from the forceful, trumpet-driven rhythms of Mars, the Bringer of War, to the soothing tones of Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity. Although Holst wrote many works during his lifetime, none matched the impact of The Planets.

If you don’t want to miss the concert, head to L’Auditori—but be sure to check the event details online first

Publication date: Tuesday, 27 May 2025
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