4th Philharmonic Concert

Grażyna Bacewicz is the most important Polish composer of the first half of the 20th century. Being a multitalented artist, she also pursued her career as solo violinist. She created over 200 compositions of different genres. Her »Pensieri notturni« (»Night Thoughts«) from 1961 fascinate with their shimmering, moving sound images.

In 1931/32, at the height of his career, Hans Gál composed his violin concerto. When Hitler seized power in 1933, Gál, as »non-Aryan«, was subject to an occupational, performance and publication ban. Fleeing from the Nazis, Gál escaped to the UK were he would stay until the end of his life. The musical language of his violin concerto is nevertheless optimistic, remaining faithful to its tonal core – just like his opera »The Sacred Duck« which is shown in Heidelberg as part of the repetition programme (see page 51).

»My next symphony shall be called Clara«, Schumann is reported to have said, finishing it on 13 September 1841, the 22nd birthday of his beloved wife.