The Hallé Orchestra, Carolin Widmann, Markus Stenz

A programme of

Mozart Symphony No.41, ‘Jupiter’
Julian Anderson ‘In Lieblicher Bläue’ poem for violin and orchestra
Schumann Symphony No.4

Markus Stenz conducts two landmarks in the history of the symphony. Much of Schumann’s Fourth Symphony is characterised by intense rhythmical drive, though its slow movement is a tender musical portrait of Schumann’s wife Clara. Mozart’s ‘Jupiter’ Symphony is the summation of its composer’s symphonic art. It strikes a perfect balance between emotion and intellect and its finale is simply astonishing in its inventiveness.

The outstanding German violinist Carolin Widmann is soloist in Julian Anderson’s ‘In Lieblicher Bläue’ (In Lovely Blue), a work that was specially written for her. Inspired by a Friedrich Hölderlin poem, this attractive and highly theatrical piece places some extremely novel technical demands on the violinist!

At 6:30pm there is a pre-concert talk. Tom Redmond is joined by tonight’s conductor Markus Stenz to discuss this fascinating programme which includes two greats in symphonic repertoire. Mozart’s last (and most ambitious) symphony is seen as a shining example of his genius in orchestral writing; Schumann’s Fourth captures the essence of the composer’s highly personal Romantic style. The pre-concert event will take place in the auditorium and is free for concert ticket holders.