Spring Concert

Towards the end of the 19th century, composing symphonies was no longer a matter of course. Composers such as Franz Liszt and Richard Wagner challenged the primacy of the symphony with new concepts that increasingly incorporated extra-musical programmes into their works. Carl Nielsen, one of Denmark’s best-known composers, continued to write symphonies; indeed, he would go on to compose six of them. At times he did indeed experiment with programme music in them, for instance in the Second and Fifth Symphonies; however, this had little to do with the New German understanding of programme music à la Wagner. In his First Symphony, by contrast, one hears clear references to Nielsen’s great role model: Ludwig van Beethoven. As in Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, Nielsen relies less on grand melodic gestures and more on a concise form derived from small, rhythmic motifs.
Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante for violin, viola and orchestra is thoroughly symphonic in character. In a finely crafted dialogue structure, the wind instruments in particular play a leading role alongside the two solo parts. Mozart opens the first movement with majestic chords in E flat major, as if he were raising the curtain on a spectacular spectacle. The fact that the resulting sense of anticipation is thwarted, as the two solo instruments blend into the action almost imperceptibly, is something one might almost anticipate in Mozart. Nils Erik Måseidvåg will be conducting this wonderful programme. After two intense years in Winterthur, he can now be seen for one last time as assistant conductor on the Stadthaus stage – an opportunity you shouldn’t miss!

All proceeds from ticket sales will go to the ‘allegro’ Friends’ Association. Please choose your voluntary donation of CHF 20, CHF 50 or CHF 100, in addition to the ticket price. Thank you very much! Concert without an interval. Following the concert, there will be a drinks reception in the foyer, hosted and served by the orchestra musicians.