Two of the most explosive works of the 20th century. Stravinsky’s Les Noces (1923) is striking in its folklike writing which conjures up the excitement and ceremony of a rustic wedding. Featuring chorus, soloists, an ensemble of four pianos and an array of percussion instruments, this is a landmark work of the twentieth century and is perhaps Stravinsky’s most original creation. Carl Orff’s Catulli Carmina (1943), the “sequel” to his celebrated Carmina Burana uses similar forces and is a setting of the writings of Catullus (1st century BC Roman poet) which celebrates love and desire before the ultimate betrayal. The pulsing and driving rhythms of the music combined with the highly erotic poetry is sure to ignite one’s passions. We open the concert with Midsummer Flower (2008) by Marcel Bergmann, one of the featured pianists of the evening, which is a highly lyrical invocation to the first breath of spring.