THE GERMAN ONE

Brahms Hungarian Dance No 5
Beethoven Violin Concerto
Schumann Symphony No 3 (Rhenish)

30 January 2027 7.30 pm

Robert Guy conductor
Callum Smart violin

Three German composers grace our January concert. It is the 200th anniversary of Beethoven's death this year, an event which SSO is marking with concerts featuring two of his most enduringly famous and iconic works. At the end of the season is that ground-breaking tour de force, his fifth symphony with its instantly recognisable, dramatic opening. So simple and yet open to so many different interpretations. And tonight Callum Smart is back to treat us to his interpretation of Ludwig's violin concerto.

The concerto is preceded by one of Brahms' equally well-known pieces. This evening's Hungarian Dance is number five of 21 which, originally for piano, have all been orchestrated at various times by musicians both well-known (Dvořák) and not-so-well-known (number five was Albert Parlow). It is short and sweet and based on the Hungarian folk dance, the csárdás.

To finish we have what was confusingly the last of Schumann's symphonies but numbered 3 of 4! Apparently at the end of the premiere the orchestra joined the audience in congratulating Schumann by shouting 'hurrah!' It's possible we won't but we hope you might!