International Mendelssohn Festival 2024
Elbphilharmonie, Kleiner Saal (Hamburg)
This concert marks the end of the 10th edition of the International Mendelssohn Festival and presents a »colourful series« of musical treasures. It begins with Schubert’s monumental Octet for mixed winds and strings, which, in his own words, is already »on the way to becoming a great symphony«. The Duetto for cello and double bass by Giaochino Rossini is less well known. The three-movement piece in D major is a true duo: both voices are almost equal and talk to each other. Everyone first associates Puccini with opera; his song »Storiella d’amore« is performed on stage as an arrangement for clarinet and string quintet. Also included: George Gershwin’s world-famous »Rhapsody in Blue« for clarinet, string quartet and double bass, which promises a colourful array of rhythms and harmonies from jazz and blues. Finally, a crowning finale that unites all the evening’s musicians: a world premiere by Fredrik Schwenk, »Bunte Reihe, einmal wohltemperiert«, a fantasy about the number 24 for 12 instruments.