Slightly Animated
4th Philharmonic Concert: Richard Strauss: Serenade in E-flat Major op. 7 / Mario Venzago: Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra / Anton Bruckner: Symphony no. 2 in C Minor
Heidelberg Congress Center
Inspired by Mozart’s »Gran Partita«, Richard Strauss’ serenade for wind instruments in one movement is from the High Romantic period and was composed when he was 18 years. While Anton Bruckner is celebrated as organ virtuoso, his compositions are hardly known in 1871. In France and England his audiences are enthralled, a confirmation Bruckner, who suffers from constant self-doubt, needs.
Created in difficult times, Bruckner’s circumstances shape his second symphony: Desperate outbursts follow fervent prayers and helpless silence. His second symphony is also called the symphony of pauses because the music keeps breaking off. Thematic work and superb counterpoints turn the symphony into an impressive oeuvre.
The programme also includes a world premiere: Swiss cellist Christian Poltéra will perform Mario Venzago's Concerto for Cello and Orchestra.
The city of Heidelberg has announced that the Stadthalle Heidelberg concert hall will not be available for philharmonic concerts in January due to ongoing construction work. Therefore, the 4th Philharmonic Concert cannot take place there and will instead be performed at the Heidelberg Congress Centre on 21 January 2026. The concert scheduled for 22 January 2026 has been cancelled.
Listen to an introduction by Stefan Klawitter (in German) here.
