8th Symphony Concert

Jörg Widmann »Con brio« Concert Overture
Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92

Jörg Widmann's »Con brio« was written expressly in the spirit of Beethoven and with reference to his symphonic style – peppered with grim scherzo elements that pay homage to the ‘classicist's’ wry humour. At the same time, specific wind and percussion techniques provide the ‘classical’ orchestration with an undoubtedly modern touch.

Beethoven's 7th Symphony, to which Widmann refers in his Concert Overture, was described by Richard Wagner as the "apotheosis of dance". Carl Maria von Weber even wanted to send him to an asylum for it – although an admiring, if uncomprehending, undertone of fascination certainly resonates in his judgement. Perhaps Romain Rolland put it most aptly, describing the Seventh as an "orgy of rhythm" in which dance and melody intertwine in an intimate embrace. Edgy humour meets vehement rebellion. More wild energy is hardly conceivable!

Underworld, grief, malediction and everything that evokes a sense of unease: this is the sphere of the key of C minor that Beethoven chose for his third piano concerto. He savours the dark abysses of the music here with relish, but at the same time contrasts them in an effective tension with lighter passages. In ‘Clavierland Vienna’ he had finally freed himself from the buoyant spheres of classical music with this work.

Public dress rehearsal on Sunday, 11 a.m. in the Weimarhalle.
Tickets: 12,00 Euro, limited contingent