BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Ilya Gringolts

Programme:
Mozart - Masonic Funeral March
Schumann - Violin Concerto
Beethoven - Symphony No 3 (Eroica)

According to Mozart's own handwritten inventory of his music, the Masonic Funeral Music was written "on the death of brothers Mecklenburg and Esterházy" in November 1785.

The music is dark and serious, in the manner of his Requiem K. 626. It is said to reflect Mozart's thoughts on mortality of the time, writing in his letters "Death, if we think about it soberly, is the true and ultimate purpose of our life. (The) image (of Death) holds nothing terrifying for me anymore; instead it holds much that is soothing and consoling!"

Schumann's Violin Concerto is his only violin concerto, and one of his works that remained relatively unknown until 80 years after it was completed. The three movement concerto is stylistically similar to Schumann's later works: objective and classical in manner. It was premiered in Berlin in 1937 by Georg Kulenkampff with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. It is now recognised as being an important piece by Schumann.

Beethoven's 'Eroica' Symphony is quite possibly one of the most well-known symphonic pieces ever written. Beethoven didn't want to compromise on his music's communicative power, hence writing here one of the most victorious finales ever composed. The work is full of symphonic drama, power and stretches the symphony to limits not previously reached; it is considered an important piece in the transitioning from the Classical to Romantic periods.

This concert will be recorded for future broadcast on BBC Radio 3.