Behind the scenes with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (Photo Feature)

Ever wish you could go behind the scenes at a classical music event? Here are some images from last week’s Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra performance at the Kennedy Center. This Dutch orchestra (they got their “royal” title from Queen Beatrix in 1988) is considered one of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras. Their Washington Performing Arts engagement consisted of three pieces by Guillaume Conesson, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Richard Strauss.

Royal Concertgebouw instrument cases lined up and ready to be unpacked. Any guesses on what instruments could be inside? Photo by Samantha Pollack.
Royal Concertgebouw instrument cases lined up and ready to be unpacked. Any guesses on what instruments could be inside? Photo by Samantha Pollack.
The bassists of RCO bring their own chairs. It pays to be prepared! Photo by Samantha Pollack.
The bassists of RCO bring their own chairs. It pays to be prepared! Photo by Samantha Pollack.
RCO’s bass section, and their special chairs, hard at work preparing for the upcoming concert. Photo by Samantha Pollack.
RCO’s bass section, and their special chairs, hard at work preparing for the upcoming concert. Photo by Peter Tollenaar.
Pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard tests out the acoustics in the hall before the concert. Could he be playing the program piece Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73 (“Emperor”) by Beethoven, or Chopsticks? The world may never know! Photo by Samantha Pollack.
Pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard tests out the acoustics in the hall before the concert. Could he be playing the program piece Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73 (“Emperor”) by Beethoven, or Chopsticks? The world may never know! Photo by Samantha Pollack.
Concert time draws near, and the full orchestra assembles to run through the program. Photo by Samantha Pollack.
Concert time draws near, and the full orchestra assembles to run through the program. Photo by Amanda Sweet.
The full orchestra cuts an impressive image as they fill the stage with the beautiful music of Connesson, Beethoven and Strauss.
The full orchestra cuts an impressive image as they fill the stage with the beautiful music of Connesson, Beethoven and Strauss. Photo by Peter Tollenaar.

Washington Performing Arts presents: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra played on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019, at the Kennedy Center – 2700 F Street, NW, in Washington, DC. For tickets and information to future Kennedy Center performances, go online.

With:
Daniel Harding, conductor
Pierre-Laurent Aimard, piano

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here