Mari Samuelsen: Philip Glass & John Williams

Norwegian violinist Mari Samuelsen joins the RTÉ Concert Orchestra for a cinematic orchestral sensation. An exclusive Deutsche Grammophon artist, Samuelsen returns following multiple sold-out performances of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Reimagined in the NCH, and at festivals All Together Now, Galway International Arts Festival and Kilkenny Arts Festival – this time, with a blockbuster programme, conducted by celebrated Swedish conductor Patrik Ringborg.

The dynamic violinist joins the RTÉ CO for Philip Glass’ hypnotic Violin Concerto No. 1, as heard in Emmanuel Carrere’s La Moustache (2005). Built on a foundation of looping and building arpeggios, Glass’ popular Concerto was composed in 1987 for his late father: “let me write a piece that my father would have liked”.

John Williams’ soundtracks from E.T., Star Wars and Harry Potter also feature in the programme. Samuelsen will feature as soloist in the theme from Schindler’s List – remorseful, powerful and perfectly suited to her emotive and expressive style – and in the Chairman’s Waltz from Memoirs of a Geisha.

The theme from Jurassic Park and the Raiders’ March from Raiders of the Lost Ark bring dramatic energy to a kaleidoscopic programme of nostalgia and adventure.

“The rapport between Samuelsen and the orchestra was superb” (Bachtrack, 2024). Witness the synergy of this incredible partnership across sweeping cinematic repertoire.

Presented by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra