A BRIDGE ACROSS CENTURIES

Immerse yourself in the magic of Romanticism with two masterpieces of the 19th century – Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor and Brahms’ Fourth Symphony.

Mendelssohn – the child prodigy of Romanticism, who reached full artistic maturity as conductor of the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig – composed his Violin Concerto as a model of perfect unity between form and expression. Classical clarity intertwines with Romantic emotion: the theme is introduced in the opening measures, the three movements flow seamlessly without pause, and virtuosity merges with lyricism to convey spiritual maturity and inner freedom.

Brahms reaches the pinnacle of his symphonic art with the Fourth Symphony – deeply dramatic, combining intellectual rigor with emotional intensity. The final passacaglia, based on a Bach theme and developed over thirty variations, transforms a Baroque form into a Romantic apotheosis – simultaneously tragic and sublime, the culmination of a creative journey from strict discipline to philosophical depth.

Mendelssohn and Brahms – united through the tradition of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven – embody two poles of mature Romanticism: the light and transparency of Mendelssohn, and the intellectual power and dramatic depth of Brahms. Between them runs a living thread of continuity – the line of the great violinists Ferdinand David and his pupil Joseph Joachim, whose artistry inspired both composers to create their celebrated violin concertos.

The soloist of this concert, the exceptional Ukrainian violinist Dmytro Udovychenko, laureate of the Montreal and the Queen Elisabeth Competitions, continues this vibrant tradition. Student of Boris Garlitsky – heir to the legendary schools of Auer and Yankelevich, whose roots trace back to Joseph Joachim – he embodies the spiritual and artistic legacy that bridges past and present.

Thus, the concert becomes not merely a musical event, but a living bridge between tradition and inspiration, between centuries, styles, and generations.