Eroica - Belgian National Orchestra & Carolin Widmann, violin conducted by Michael Schønwandt

Het Nationaal Orkest is coming by this autumn with international top violinist Carolin Widmann and a Danish knight: the long-standing leading Michael Schønwandt. They bring three composers who all have something heroic. Berlioz was an outsider in the Parisian music life due to his unconventional style. He experimented in his instrumentations, for example in the Symphonie fantastique (later this season still on the program – see Apr 15, 27). His literary choices were also not obvious in the City of Light at that time, such as the opera material of Shakespeares Béatrice et Bénédict: much ado about nothing. Mozart has something heroic in the dreamy and even idiosyncratic freedom of his concerti. His beloved fifth for violin contains a surprise from the chef: a rousing, folk-dance-like passage with references to Hungarian or even Turkish music. Bij Beethoven freedom became a necessity. With two ruthless chords, he kicks open the door to something new in his Eroica, a personal statement full of tension, conflict, drive, and ambition. Although the ambition of Napoleon, to whom he originally wanted to dedicate the symphony, did become a thorn in his side! program Hector Berlioz Ouverture Béatrice et Bénédict   Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Vioolconcerto no. 5 in A major Ludwig van Beethoven Symfonie no. 3 in E-flat major Eroica conductor Michael Schønwandt / violin Carolin Widmann / introduction Stijn Paredis / © Lennard Ruehle & Wouter Van Vaerenbergh carolinwidmann.com & nationalorchestra.be