Adventurous top soloists — Nicolas Altstaedt, Kian Soltani + Radio Philharmonic Orchestra

A 20th‑century classic and a colorful Iranian world premiere

Witold Lutosławski is considered one of the most important composers of the 20th Century. His Cello Concerto, with its characteristic minutes-long introduction for cello solo and its electrifying orchestration, gives the soloist every opportunity to shine and tell their story. The concerto is one of many works dedicated to Mstislav Rostropovich, who premiered the composition in 1970.

The Iranian-Dutch composer Aftab Darvishi wrote a new cello concerto for the Iranian-Austrian cellist Kian Soltani and the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, which makes its debut at the Biënnale. The cultural heritage of Iran plays a large role in Aftab Darvishi’s often lyrical and emotional compositions. Together with Kian Soltani, she explores ways to express the typical timbres of the Iranian tradition through the cello.