Seven prisoners flee from a concentration camp during National Socialism, only one survives and gropes their way to freedom on dangerous paths. Hans Werner Henze took the subject matter of Anna Seghers’ 20th century novel as the basis for his Ninth Symphony, which, according to the composer, »is an expression of the utmost reverence for people who offered resistance during the Nazi fascist terror and who gave their lives for the freedom of thought.«
Featuring full choir and orchestra, one might naturally associate this work with Beethoven’s »Ninth Symphony«. But: »Instead of singing the joy, the beautiful spark of the gods, in my Ninth, people spend the entire evening evoking a world of horror and persecution that has still not passed and continues to cast its shadow.« With immense weight and significance – and musical force – Henze reminds us that remembrance must never come to an end.
Star conductor Vladimir Jurowski and »his« Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin set the tone in the first half of the concert. Beethoven’s »Leonore« Overture tells the story of the titular heroine who frees her lover from political imprisonment. And in his »Song of Destiny«, Brahms engages with a poem by Hölderlin, contrasting heavenly, paradisiacal beauty with the uncertainties and tragedies of human existence.
PERFORMERS
Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin orchestra
Rundfunkchor Berlin choir
Florian Helgath choir rehearsal
Vladimir Jurowski conductor
PROGRAM
Ludwig van Beethoven
Leonore Overture No. 1, Op. 138
Johannes Brahms
Schicksalslied for Choir and Orchestra, Op. 54
- Interval -
Hans Werner Henze
Symphony No. 9 for Mixed Choir and Orchestra
