Munich Philharmonic: Bartók / SchumannMirga Gražinytė-Tyla (conductor), Vilde Frang (violin)

It was in August 1939, while preparing to emigrate to the USA to escape the ever more alarming political situation, that Béla Bartók wrote his Divertimento. In the otherwise mild and pleasant work, the mood of the times is reflected in the dark, towering clusters of sound in the second movement.
It was in August 1939, while preparing to emigrate to the USA to escape the ever more alarming political situation, that Béla Bartók wrote his Divertimento. In the otherwise mild and pleasant work, the mood of the times is reflected in the dark, towering clusters of sound in the second movement.
Robert Schumann’s Violin Concerto was premiered only two years earlier, in November 1937, all of 84 years after its creation. With a pompous event, the Nazi propaganda machine intended – and luckily failed – to install it as an “Aryan” replacement for Felix Mendelssohn’s proscribed Violin Concerto. Freed from its lamentable association, the work will be performed here by Norwegian violinist Vilde Frang.
Schumann’s Symphony No 1 had an easier ride, already being well received at its premiere in Leipzig. The most cheerful of Schumann’s symphonies, it seemingly reflects spring and the awakening of nature. Leading the Munich Philharmonic through this contrasting programme will be Lithuanian conductor Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla.
Programme
- Béla Bartók: Divertimento for String Orchestra, Sz 113
- Robert Schumann:
– Violin Concerto in D minor
– Symphony No 1 in B-flat major, Op 38, Spring