9th Symphony Concert

Ludwig van Beethoven Konzert für Violine, Violoncello, Klavier und Orchester C-Dur op. 56 »Tripelkonzert«
Anton Bruckner Sinfonie Nr. 7 E-Dur, WAB 107

The 7th Symphony by the 60-year-old Anton Bruckner marked the composer’s first real success, thereby setting the stage for an extraordinary career in which all his remaining pieces were warmly received. His »Seventh« is characterised by the noticeably strong influence of Richard Wagner, and the second movement, one of the most moving pieces of funeral music next to Beethoven’s »Eroica« and Wagner’s »Götterdämmerung«, was apparently inspired by the imminent passing of his dear friend. The symphony is dedicated to Ludwig II of Bavaria (Wagner’s Ludwig!) – perhaps as his representative?

Beethoven’s »Triple Concerto« integrates the established chamber music genre of the piano trio into the orchestral concert form comprising several soloists. For the listener, the result is a complex but fascinating combination of an intimate dialogue and sweeping epic. One of Beethoven’s favourite themes, the role of the individual in society, a single but integrative part of the whole, finds its forceful acoustic expression here.