While Brahms seeks, in the long concluding section of Schicksalslied, to counter Hölderlin’s fatalistic words that human beings are entirely at the mercy of fate and thus give the work a more hopeful ending, the two works that follow explore individual struggles with personal destiny. Clara Schumann, who, despite a traumatic childhood, opposition to her professional career and prejudice against women composers, became a pianist and composer celebrated throughout Europe; and Dmitri Shostakovich, who was forced to live under Stalin’s reign of terror and found his own way of resisting it – both demonstrate that human beings are not entirely at the mercy of fate, but can withstand even difficult times with strong determination and confidence. And that it is always worth fighting with hope and faith in a better future.
PERFORMERS
Chor der Universität Hamburg choir
Kammerchor der Universität Hamburg chamber choir
Orchester der Universität Hamburg orchestra
Thomas Posth musical director
PROGRAM
Johannes Brahms
Schicksalslied for Choir and Orchestra, Op. 54
Clara Schumann
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in A minor, Op. 7
- Interval -
Dmitri Schostakowitsch
Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47
