„From the Source to Lake Constance” – “Philharmonic at Królewska” Symphonic concert
Johannes Brahms’s Violin Concerto in D major is one of the greatest works in the history of violin literature. The piece would not have come into being without the creative friendship between the composer and the outstanding Hungarian violin virtuoso Joseph Joachim, who supervised the solo part and to whom the work was dedicated. The critical reception of the concerto was not entirely enthusiastic, partly because the final movement was thought to bear an excessive resemblance to the Hungarian Dances. Hans von Bülow famously remarked: “Bruch wrote a concerto for the violin, and Brahms wrote one against the violin.” However, the world-renowned violin virtuoso Bronisław Huberman retorted: “Brahms’s concerto is not against the violin, but for the violin against the orchestra. In the struggle between these unequal forces, the violin emerges victorious.”
Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 97, also known as the “Rhenish”, is the last symphony composed by Robert Schumann, though not the last to be published. It was written between 2 November and 9 December 1850, and its premiere took place on 6 February 1851 in Düsseldorf, conducted by Schumann himself. The work received mixed reviews, ranging “from unfounded praise to bewilderment.” However, according to A. Peter Brown, the audience applauded before each movement, and especially at the end of the symphony, when the orchestra joined in, congratulating Schumann with cries of “hurrah!”
The symphony’s title derives from the second movement, which is a musical depiction of the flowing Rhine River. Schumann originally provided a title that can be translated as “Morning on the Rhine,” but it was removed prior to publication. Schumann’s reason for omitting the title was his belief that providing an extra-musical program would impose a specific interpretation on the listener. This is confirmed by his own words: “Once the eye is directed toward a particular point, the ear is no longer able to judge independently.” Schumann also once stated that “we should not show the world our hearts: the general impression of a work of art is better; at the very least, it prevents absurd comparisons.”
