A New Journey

At 15 years old, Mendelssohn wrote his stormy First Symphony, strongly anchored in Viennese classicism but resolutely looking ahead. The young composer already showed himself to be a master who could effortlessly combine nuance, boldness and innovation. The same ingredients characterize his famous Fifth Symphony, which he wrote in honor of the 300th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession, a key document of Protestantism. Those who can't resist the urge can hum (softly) along with Luther's famous chorale Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott... The highlight of this Mendelssohn program is undoubtedly the famous Violin Concerto. With its tenderness, mischievous humor and elegance, the work seems to have been written for Vilde Frang.