09
10
Joachim Ladefoged
Pascal Victor-ArtComArt
08
Richard Haughton
05
AKRAM KHAN
THE SECOND WOMAN
LSO GERGIEV
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
Described by The Guardian as “the most urgent, beautiful and confident work of his career”, Akram Khan’s Desh is an homage to his native Bangladesh. The choreographer/dancer has teamed up with Oscarwinning Chinese visual artist Tim Yip for this solo performance that sees him portray characters familiar in daily Bangladeshi culture. The Telegraph called it “poignant, thrilling, magical, moving”. November 14, Grand Théâtre, rond-point Schuman, Luxembourg-Limpertsberg, www.theatres.lu
Inspired by John Cassavetes’ Opening Night, in which Gena Rowlands plays an actress rehearsing for a play titled The Second Woman, the latest work by composer Frédéric Verrières and librettist Bastien Gallet is an opera within an opera-a story about transformation as the “fictional” work is modified. The acclaimed and award winning work is performed in French and English with subtitles. November 30 & December 1, Grand Théâtre, rond-point Schuman, Luxembourg-Limpertsberg, www.theatres.lu
Russian conductor Valery Gergiev returns with the London Symphony Orchestra (and chorus) as it completes the cycle of works by Karol Szymanowski and Johannes Brahms it began at the Philharmonie in October. The December programme features the 3rd and 4th symphonies of both composers as well as Szymanowski’s 2nd concerto for violin and orchestra and Brahms’ Variations on a theme by Joseph Haydn. December 13 & 14, Philharmonie, place de l’Europe, Luxembourg-Kirchberg, www.philharmonie.lu
Timothy Lone directs a cast including Fran Potasnik and Adrian Diffey (making their farewell performances), Gavan Guilfoyle, Emma Farrell and Tom Shiels in this production of Harold Pinter’s classic play. The Birthday Party contains Pinter’s trademark melange of comedy, hatred, terror, and superb story-telling and has been described as “disturbing”, “unforgettable”, and “an exploration of the individual’s secret dreads and anxieties.” December 5,6, 7, 10, 11 & 13, Théâtre National de Luxembourg, route de Longwy, Luxembourg-Merl, www.tnl.lu
06
EMI Rankin
11
NIGEL KENNEDY In a potentially fascinating and lively programme, Nigel Kennedy marries solo violin works by Johann Sebastian Bach, such as the Sonata No 2 in A minor, to tunes like ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’ by Fats Waller and, in the words of LondonJazz, “builds a daring bridge between baroque and jazz”. He is joined on stage by a trio of Polish jazz musicians. November 18, Philharmonie, place de l’Europe, LuxembourgKirchberg, www.philharmonie.lu
TY SEGALL A prolific figure on the west coast music scene Ty Segall has just released his latest solo album Twins, to critical acclaim. He is, according to Kitty Empire in The Guardian, “one of American rock’s best kept secrets”. She praised his genre-bending album by saying, “Everything he does is good: melodic, enervated and loud.” His live shows usually end as a wild party. November 26, Exit07, rue de l’Aciérie, Luxembourg-Hollerich, www.rotondes.lu
62
NOVEMBER 2012
Aliya Naumoff
Annabel Mehran
07
SONIC VISIONS
The undoubted star attraction at this year’s Sonic Visions festival is The XX (photo). The trio of Romy Madley Croft, Jamie Smith and Oliver Sim has built a real cut following since the release of its eponymously titled, Mercury Prize-winning debut album. The band returns to Luxembourg for a show to highlight new release Coexist, which has received similarly rave reviews. But the festival of new music also features a slew of other acts that should attract just as much interest from the discerning fan.
For instance, Viennese band Elektro Guzzi (recently at Exit07) also plays the opening night, alongside French turntablism trio C2C. On Saturday local band Monophona, which has just released its debut album to loud acclaim, plays alongside other Luxembourg-based bands Seed to Tree and Natas Loves You. Also on the Saturday bill is British indie band Clock Opera and Dutch-based postmodern trio Say Yes Dog. November 23 and 24, Rockhal, avenue du Rock’n’Roll, Esch-Belval