Rossini — Bruch — Mendelssohn | Kokoszewski | Shemet | Symphony Orchestra

Performers: Krzysztof Kokoszewski — violin

Yaroslav Shemet — conductor

Silesian Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra

Program: Gioacchino Rossini — overture to the opera of the Italian in Algiers

Max Bruch — Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op.26

Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy — Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 Italian

The concertmaster of the Silesian Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra Krzysztof Kokoszewski will perform in front of the audience in the role of soloist. He will perform the 1st Violin Concerto in G minor by Max Bruch — one of the most emotional and beloved works of romantic violin literature. The evening's programme will be rounded off by Rossini's famous overture by the temperamental Italian in Algiers and Mendelssohn's sunlit 4th Symphony “Italian”.

Gioacchino Rossini's overture to the opera The Italian in Algiers — a brilliant composition full of humour and stage energy — remains one of the most recognisable examples of Italian buff opera. Rossini wrote the entire opera in just a few weeks, at just 21 years old, and its premiere in Venice in 1813 became the beginning of his international career. Already in the overture, the composer builds musical tension with his own lightness, combining exuberant rhythms, spectacular crescenda and temperamental dialogues of instruments. Not surprisingly, the overture itself quickly began to function independently of the opera and to this day remains one of Rossini's most performed compositions.

The focal point of the evening will be the 1st Violin Concerto in G minor Op. 26 by Max Bruch — a work that has remained one of the pillars of the violin repertoire for more than a century and one of the most popular violin concertos of the Romantic era. The composer completed the work in 1866, however, he gave it its final shape only after consulting with the outstanding violinist Joseph Joachim, who premiered the revised version in 1868. Particularly original is the construction of the first part — instead of the classic allegra, Bruch created Vorspiel, a musical prelude smoothly leading to the full lyricism of the Adagia, recognized as the emotional center of the entire concert. The finale impresses with its energy, dance rhythm and virtuosic momentum, leading the work to an impressive conclusion. Bruch himself jokingly complained over the years that the popularity of the concert completely overshadowed his other compositions.

The evening concludes with Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy's Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 — one of the most serene and illuminated works of 19th-century symphony. The composer created it under the influence of the emotions that accompanied him during his trip to Italy, delighted with the southern landscape, light and atmosphere of Italian cities. The already opening symphony Allegro vivace exudes energy and “sunny” radiance, conveying the joy and delight of the young Mendelssohn.

The temperamental part of the first part is followed by the lyrical Andante con moto, whose characteristic sound is built by violas, bassoons and both leading a melodic, ballad narrative inspired by folk music. In the third part (Con moto moderato) the lightness and elegance of the dance waltz returns, while the final Presto brings a real burst of energy — Mendelssohn uses the rhythm of the Italian saltarella, a lively folk dance with a jumping, almost thrilling character. Thanks to this, the whole symphony delights with freshness, movement and extraordinary lightness of sound.

CONCERT INFORMANT