Nielsen and Schumann

Carl Nielsen had exalted ideas when he began writing his dramatic Violin Concerto in the summer of 1911. "It must be good music without ever losing sight of the solo instrument, which must be presented in the best possible light. The piece must have substance and yet be captivating to the audience; it must be brilliant without being superficial. All these contradictions must be resolved and come together in a higher form of unity." Meeting these goals did not come without its challenges for Nielsen. But meet them he did, and the concerto proved both moving and formally creative. 

This enchanting piece is performed here by Vera Panitch, second concertmaster of the ISO. Schumann's Third Symphony is an undisputed masterpiece, inspired by the natural splendour of the Rhinelands and written in only five weeks, shortly after the composer moved with his family to Düsseldorf. The piece is a marriage of the structurally conventional and the innovative, with passionate emotions simmering below the surface. The concert opens with György Ligeti's exciting fantasy of folk music, Concert Românesc. Lively Romanian folk tunes from the composer's birthplace in Transylvania are given new life in this symphonic arrangement.

*The conductor Leo McFall, who was originally supposed to conduct the concert, had to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances.