Conductor Stéphane Denève makes his debut at Lincoln Center Conducting Works by Fauré, and Tchaikovsky and the New York premiere of James MacMillan’s Piano Concerto No. 3, “The Mysteries of Light.” This stunning new piece will be performed by the masterful French pianist, Jean-Yves Thibaudet.

This program will also include Fauré’s “Pelléas et Mélisande

James MacMillan’s Piano Concerto No. 3, “The Mysteries of Light,” was written for Jean-Yves Thibaudet, who premiered it with the Minnesota Orchestra, led by Osmo Vänskä, in 2011. The concerto is inspired by the Roman Catholic Mysteries of the Rosary.

“Why do I call the MacMillan concerto ‘timeless’ and believe it will enter the repertoire, when so many other new works do not? MacMillan is one of the rare composers who is actually able to put into notes a flavor of a country, a flavor of our times,” Stéphane Denève said. “I’ve lived in Scotland and know this country — its passion, earth, flavor, character — and MacMillan can express that in a memorable way.”

The work represents a confluence of musical and personal friendships. “Jean-Yves is a very close friend,” explained Mr. Denève. “He was my best man at my wedding and really is family. James MacMillan and I became friends during the years I was in Glasgow: he’s a fantastic man and a genius composer.” About his upcoming debut, he added: “In conducting the New York Philharmonic, I am excited about this very interesting mix of the orchestra’s rich past and very modern open mind.”

Stéphane Denève is chief conductor of Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra and, beginning this season, principal guest conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and he will become chief conductor of the Brussels Philharmonic and director of its Centre for Future Orchestral Repertoire in September 2015. Formerly music director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (2005–12), he is recognized internationally for the exceptional quality of his performances and programming and regularly appears at major concert venues with the world’s leading orchestras and soloists. Mr. Denève has a special affinity for the music of his native France, and is a passionate advocate for new music.

(The concert will be performed on February 11–13, 2015

Wednesday, February 11, 2015, at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, February 12, 2015, at 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, February 13 at 2:00 p.m. (For Additional information and tickets, check out lincolncenter.org).

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