MENDELSSOHN

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) displayed extraordinary musical talents already in his early childhood. At the age of eight, he could easily read complex musical scores, at the age of nine he was already performing in public, delighting the audiences with his piano skills, and he celebrated his twelfth birthday by staging his first Singspiel. Thus, Trompetenovertüre op. 101, completed in March 1826, although it belongs to his early works, can be considered a mature work – with a clear formal arrangement and skillful use of the timbre potential of the orchestra. It owes its title to the characteristic initial fanfare because contrary to appearances, the trumpets do not play a leading role in the remainder of the piece.  

The Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64, is one of the most frequently performed pieces by the master and one of the most important compositions of this genre from the 19th century. Guided by the excellent violinist Ferdinand David, who premiered the work in Leipzig in 1845, Mendelssohn managed to brilliantly reconcile technical virtuosity with the lyrical sonority of the violin part. Combined with the composer’s characteristic sensitivity for instrumentation, the three-movement piece took on a form that is delightful in both its artistry and expression.

The evening will be crowned by Symphony No. 1, Op. 11, from 1824 – first performed at a private party to celebrate the 19th birthday of Felix’s equally musically gifted sister, Fanny. It was not the composer’s debut in this genre – Mendelssohn had previously written twelve symphonies for strings – but it was only in Op. 11 that he first used a full symphony orchestra. In the interpretation of the Orchestra of the Polish Royal Opera, the work will be performed in its original version – with the Minuet as the third movement (the composer later replaced this part with Scherzo). The first public performance of the work, conducted by Mendelssohn in London in 1829, was met with an enthusiastic reception – delighting the audience with creative inventiveness, melodious themes, and brilliant energy of the whole.

PROGRAM

Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847)

Trompetenovertüre op. 101

Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64

Allegro molto appassionato | Andante – Allegretto non troppo | Allegro molto vivace

— intermission —

Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op.11

Allegro di molto | Andante | Menuetto. Allegro molto | Allegro con fuoco – Più stretto

PERFORMERS

WOJCIECH NIEDZIÓŁKA VIOLIN

THE ORCHESTRA OF THE POLISH ROYAL OPERA

DAWID RUNTZ CONDUCTOR

Duration: approx. 1h 40 mins (with an intermission)