In the organizer's words:

The NDR Radiophilharmonie brings music by Schumann and Tchaikovsky to Lübeck: the "Manfred" Overture, the "Manfred" Symphony and Schumann's Cello Concerto, played by Truls Mørk.

Stanislav Kochanovsky Conductor
Truls Mørk violoncello
NDR Radiophilharmonie

Robert Schumann
"Manfred"
Overture to the dramatic poem
after Lord Byron op. 115
Robert Schumann
Violoncello Concerto in A minor op. 129
Peter Tchaikovsky
"Manfred"
Symphony in four pictures
after the dramatic poem
by Lord Byron in B minor op. 58

6.30 pm
Concert introduction "Prelude with nobleman & cello"

Lord Byron's heroic character "Manfred" provided inspiration in his day: Robert Schumann captured the tragic figure in music, as did Peter Tchaikovsky. The NDR Radiophilharmonie and its chief conductor Stanislav Kochanovsky will be performing these works in Lübeck in northern Germany. Norwegian cellist Truls Mørk will also be performing Schumann's Cello Concerto.

Weltschmerz

"Byronism" was almost a fad in the early 19th century, a mixture of world-weariness and rebellion against society, triggered by the writings of British literary star Lord Byron. Although he died in 1824, his poetry continued to have an effect right up to the times of Robert Schumann and Peter Tchaikovsky.

The fist of Romanticism

If there is a Byronist in its purest form, then it is Manfred, the hero of Byron's drama of the same name. A tragic figure, lonely through guilt, a kind of romantic Faust. Robert Schumann was so fascinated by this broken character that he brought him to the stage as a mixture of opera, melodrama and cantata. The best-known piece is the overture, which impressively sets Manfred's rebellion against fate to music.

The outlaw

And Peter Tchaikovsky? He virtually identified with Byron's restless hero: social ostracism, repressed feelings, the loss of close friends - all these experiences flowed into a four-movement symphony. This is one of Tchaikovsky's most expressive and emotionally profound scores.

Soul-searching

Between these two programmatic works: Clear the stage for Truls Mørk, one of the great cellists of our time. He has Schumann's Violoncello Concerto in A minor in his luggage, one of those late works that are more of an introspection than a brilliant self-portrayal. You stay a Byronist all your life!

Price information:

Discounts available (e.g. U30)